The Iowa Clinic Women’s Center is the first in the state to offer Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI).  Only available in a few healthcare organizations around the United States, the BSGI is the “next step” in detecting breast cancer.
 
When a mammogram is inconclusive BSGI can give physicians and patients the answers they need.  BSGI uses a specially developed camera that allows for imaging without compressing the breast.  A small amount of tracing agent is injected into the arm or foot, which is then absorbed by all the cells of the body.  Since cancer cells have a higher rate of metabolic activity than normal cells, the tracing agent usually concentrates in the cancerous cells.  The tracing agent then emits invisible rays and the BSGI is used to exam the breast. 

BSGI is designed especially for patients who have had the following:

• Suspicious area on a mammogram;
• Dense breast tissue; 
• Lumps that can be felt but not seen with a mammography or ultrasound and;
• Scarring from previous surgeries.

BSGI is not designed to take the place of a mammography, but to compliment the procedure.  Pairing the information from the two tests gives physicians a more complete overview of a patient’s breast health.

BSGI is available at:

The Iowa Clinic Medical Imaging Department
1221 Pleasant Street, Suite 150
Des Moines, IA  50309
515-875-9500

Meet our team of board certified radiologist