Diffuse breast uptake of technetium-99m tetrofosmin during myocardial perfusion imaging in a lactating mother

Abstract

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a useful modality to rule out myocardial ischaemia in patients presenting with chest pain. In nursing mothers imaging with radioisotope is usually avoided but under certain circumstances it is unavoidable. We present the case of a 45-year-old woman with chest pain, who underwent MPI for assessment of ischaemia. The scan showed anterior artefact due to diffuse breast uptake in both the breasts, as the patient was a lactating mother. The case highlights the importance of breast uptake of radioisotope in the lactating mother on MPI and the necessary steps which need to be taken if radiotracer is injected into a lactating woman.