Management of Incidental Breast Lesions Detected on Nuclear Medicine Examinations

Abstract

Nuclear medicine studies are often performed in patients with breast cancer; however, incidental radiotracer uptake in the breasts can be observed in patients with nonbreast malignancies. Benign and malignant lesions can be identified on planar, SPECT, and PET scans. This review will outline the molecular and radiographic imaging appearance of benign and malignant breast lesions on sestamibi scans, bone scans, radioiodine studies, as well as PET studies using fluorine 18 (18F) fluorodeoxyglucose, gallium 68 (68Ga) tetraazacy-clododecane tetraacetic acid octreotate (or DOTATATE),68Ga prostate-specific membrane antigen, and18F-fluciclovine radiotracers. Recognizing these lesions at molecular and anatomic imaging is important to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.