Technetium-99m (V)-dimercaptosuccinic acid: normal accumulation in the breasts.

Technetium-99m (V)-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is a tumour-imaging agent which has been used to evaluate medullary thyroid cancer and soft tissue tumours. Physiological uptake has been demonstrated in the kidneys, nasal mucosa and blood pool. In addition to positive accumulation in these sites, uptake in the breasts has been noted. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the accumulation of 99mTc (V)-DMSA in the normal breasts of 83 patients. There was no accumulation in male breasts. On the other hand, 24 of 51 female patients showed bilateral symmetrical accumulation in the breasts. Positive uptake was seen in 16 of 23 patients (70%) between 15 and 50 years old, but in only 7 of 25 (28%) above 50 years old. One out of three patients (33%) under 15 years old showed positive breast uptake. In conclusion, the female breasts should be included in the description of a pattern of normal biodistribution of 99mTc (V)-DMSA.