Molecular breast imaging (MBI) continues to gain traction as an efficient supplemental screening tool, balancing clinical utility with ease of implementation for rads and patients alike. Unlike purely anatomical imaging, MBI highlights metabolically active lesions.
And as Amy Lynn Conners, MD, explained during “Streamlining Breast Imaging Workflows” at ARRS 2026, this feature makes it popular with oncologists, who often view these active findings as more “threatening” to the patient.
Pros:
- Ease of Adoption: MBI acquisition is not highly operator-dependent, and the learning curve for rads is short. Dr. Conners noted one practice successfully transitioned after only a two-hour training session!
- Efficiency: Scans are quick to read and, compared to other techniques, your data storage requirements are minimal.
- Patient Experience: Generally, the procedure is well-tolerated (Conners’ patients have sat and doomscrolled during their scans), and it’s relatively affordable—ca. $700 without insurance.
- Supply Chain: The necessary tracer, technetium, is easily acquired.
Cons:
- Sensitivity & Radiation: MBI is slightly less sensitive than MRI and requires an injection and radiation exposure.
- Hardware Hurdles: Implementation requires the purchase of a dedicated breast imaging camera. The market for these vendors has historically been “unstable and volatile,” posing a barrier to entry.
- Intervention Gap: While MBI-guided biopsy exists, it is not yet widely available for follow-up.
RadFYI: MBI offers a high-yield, oncologist-approved supplemental screening option that is easy to read and patient-friendly—provided your facility can navigate that initial equipment investment.
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