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.
The Pros:
- Ease of Adoption: MBI acquisition is not highly operator-dependent, and the learning curve for radiologists is short. One clinical practice successfully transitioned after only a two-hour training session.
- Efficiency: The scans are quick to read, and the data storage requirements are minimal compared to other techniques.
- Patient Experience: The procedure is generally well-tolerated (patients typically sit and use their phones during the scan), and it is relatively affordable, costing approximately $700, sans insurance.
- Supply Chain: The necessary tracer, technetium, is easy to acquire.
The 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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