PURPOSE: Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography has been validated as an useful non-invasive diagnostic tool for the primary breast cancer. But most studies have included small population of patients. We have experienced a large study population and investigated the diagnostie usefulness of Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography in detection of primary breast cancer and axillary Iymph node metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 30S patients who underwent scintimammography for palpable breast masses or abnormal radiologic findings. Tc-99m MIRI scintirnammography was performed 10 minutes after intravenous injection of 925 MBq of Tc-99m MIBI. If the early image revealed abnormal finding, 3 hour delayed image was also acquired. We calculated early and delayed lesion to non-lesion ratios (L/N). The pathologic diagnosis was obtained from surgical operation or F.4AB and compared with the results of Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography. RESULTS: Malignant breast diseases were 155 and benign ones were 150. Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography revealed 132 true positive, 23 false negative, 10 false positive, and 140 true negative cases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the primary breast cancer detection were 85.2%, 93.4%, 92.9%, and 85.9%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography in detecting metastatic axillary lymph node involvement were 22%, 90.4%, 61.9% and 62.3%, respectively. Early L/N of malignant breast disease was significantly higher than that of benign one (2,44+/-0.97 vs 1.94+/-0.78, p=0.01). Delayed L/N had no significant difference between malignant an Breast Diseases ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sensitivity and Specificity