The paper presents an analysis of the results of a prospective study in a group of patients examined by scintimammography (SMM). The aim of the study was to evaluate a diagnostic contribution of scintimammography in the detection of malignant lesions of the breast and to determine position of this examination in the diagnostic algorithm. SMMwas performed after i.v. administration of 740 MBq 99mTc-MIBI using the gamma camera. The cohort included 303 patients with 308 suspected or uncertain mammographic findings. Histology and/or cytology confirmed 85 malignant and 223 benign lesions. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy ofSMMin the detection ofmalignant lesions in the whole group proved to 92%, 91% and 91%, respectively, the detection of palpable lesions being 96%, 84% and 90%, respectively and the detection of non-palpable lesions being 86%, 93% and 92%, respectively. The differences in the detection of palpable and non-palpable lesions were not statistically significant. Based on analysis of the results of our group the authors recommend SMM to be included into the examination algorithm of breast lesions. SMM proved to be most valuable as a second-line test in patients with palpable breast lesion or a lesion larger than one cm, which displays an uncertain mammographic finding with less suspected malignity. SMM may also be recommended in women with indeterminate mammographic findings due to a dense mammary tissue and silicon implants as well as suspected relapses of breast cancer after surgical treatment or radiotherapy.

        Key words: 99mTc-MIBI – scintimammography – breast cancer