scintimammography

scin·ti·mam·mog·ra·phy

(sin'tē-mam-og'ră-fē), Breast imaging that uses a radionuclide for the detection of cancer.

scintimammography

Imaging A noninvasive technique in which a radioactive tracer is injected into a breast being screened for cancer. See Mammography.

scintimammography

ade-000994 (sĭn″tĭ-mă-mŏg′rŏ-fē) [scinti(llation) + ″] Mammography enhanced by a radioactive isotope study of healthy and malignant breast tissue. The radioactive tracer is injected into a peripheral vein and is taken up by metabolically active cells. Breast cancer cells are metabolically more active than normal tissues, take up more tracer, and on the image appear brighter than the surrounding healthy cells. Scintimammography can be used to identify breast cancers that are otherwise difficult to visualize and to guide breast biopsies.