Technetium-99m-sestamibi uptake in axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients

In a prospective study the value of technetium-99m-sestamibi scintigraphy (MIBI scintigraphy) in staging axillary lymph node involvement in breast cancer patients was established. The study comprised 36 cases. The results of the staging were compared with physical and histological examination. MIBI scintigraphy had a sensitivity of 91% and a total accuracy of 81%. These percentages demonstrate the potential value of this technique; larger series will be needed to confirm our results.