A recent study carried out at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN reveals that small breast tumors of less than 2 cm in size can easily be detected by a dual-headed gamma camera set up for molecular breast imaging (MBI). The study is published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. Lead author of the study Carrie B. Hruska MD and his colleagues have developed a dual-head MBI system using 2 cadmium zinc telluride detectors to concurrently attain opposing breast views and reduce lesion-to-detector distance. The researchers were able to determine the incremental gain in sensitivity of MBI with dual detectors. The author said that the sensitivity rate of dual-head MBI during a study on 150 patients who had suspicious lesions smaller than 2 cm in size were imaged with dual-head molecular breast imaging was 90% (115/128). There were 128 cancers established in 88 patients. The author said that dual head MBI contain a very light pain-free compression of the breast. Two analyses of each breast were undertaken during the study which lasted for about 10 minutes per view. The patient received an IV injection of a commonly used radiotracer and this tracer circulates right through the body and is preferentially targeted in the breast cancer. No doubt mammography works well in majority of women but most of the women could benefit from additional test like dual head MBI which is considered as cost-effective and has the ability to exhibit only positive results. As far as its cost is concerned it is almost of the same price tag as digital mammography with accuracy to rival that of the more expensive breast MRI. It will suit most of the women who have dense breasts on mammography or who are at a great risk of developing breast cancer. No doubt MBI is in its infancy stage but is likely to be more available widely in the near future.