美蓝-核素联合法在乳腺癌患者前哨淋巴结活检中的应用

目的探讨美蓝一核素联合法在乳腺癌患者前哨淋巴结活检（sentinel lymph node biopsy SLNB）中的临床价值。方法以38例体检无腋窝淋巴结转移的乳腺癌患者为研究对象,在乳晕区注射99mTc标记的硫胶体,采用．y计数器探测仪结合美蓝染色法检测识别前哨淋巴结（sentinel lymph node SLN）,先行SLNB,随后行乳腺癌改良根治术。结果38例中2例未见淋巴结及淋巴管蓝染,总计共找到腋窝淋巴结507个,阳性18例131个,阴性20例376个：SLN共71个,阳性17例47个,阴性2l例24个。SLN的检出率94．6％,准确性94．4％,特异性100％。敏感性94．4％,假阴性率5．6％,假阳性率0。结论应用美蓝一核素联合法前哨淋巴结活检在乳腺癌治疗中可以取得较高的检出率和准确性．可用于确定是否行腋窝淋巴结清扫术。     

前哨淋巴结检测在乳腺癌治疗中的意义

目的评价前哨淋巴结活检术 (sentinellymphnodebiopsy,SLNB)预测腋淋巴结肿瘤转移的准确性及其临床意义。方法使用专利蓝染色法和 /或99mTc标记的硫胶体示踪法对我院收治的81例乳腺癌患者进行前哨淋巴结活检。两种方法联合检测 3例前哨淋巴结 (sentinellymphnode ,SLN)均阴性者未行腋淋巴结清扫术。结果 81例患者SLN总检出率为 96 3% (78/81) ,总准确率为97 5 % ,总假阴性率 9 7%。 5 3例单纯染色法检出率为 92 5 % ,准确率 94 2 % ,假阴性率 15 8% ;2 8例99mTc示踪法和 /或染色法联合检测结果分别为 10 0 % ,10 0 %和 0。结论SLNB能够准确预测腋窝淋巴结的转移状况。两种方法联合检测为最佳。术前化疗对假阴性率可能有影响。     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结解剖学定位的临床研究

目的:探讨示踪剂注射部位对乳腺癌前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymph node,SLN)定位的影响。方法:对53例cN0期乳腺癌患者行核素示踪联合染料染色示踪法检测SLN,在原发肿瘤表面的皮下组织内或切除活组织检查残腔肿瘤周围两点注射99m锝(99mTc)标记的硫胶体,将卡纳琳或亚甲蓝分别注射于肿瘤对角线相应部位的皮下组织内(30例)或乳头乳晕下皮下组织内(23例)。SLN活组织检查后再行腋窝淋巴结清除术,标本行常规HE染色组织学检查。结果:53例患者均成功检测出SLN,核素示踪法与蓝染料法的成功率均为96.23%(51/53),联合检测的成功率100%(53/53),共检出SLN103枚,平均每例检出1.94枚,其中50例SLN位于胸大肌外侧缘的外侧组淋巴结(LevelⅠ),1例位于胸小肌后(LevelⅡ),1例同时位于LevelⅠ及LevelⅡ,1例同时位于LevelⅠ及胸骨旁。全部病例蓝染料与核素示踪标识的SLN均为同一枚(或同一组)淋巴结,两者完全吻合;且蓝染料注射于乳头乳晕或肿瘤对角线部位与核素注射于肿瘤周围所标识的SLN也完全一致。结论:SLN可能是乳房整个器官的SLN,而非乳房某个具体部位的SLN,与示踪剂的注射部位无关。     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中亚甲蓝与亚甲蓝、同位素联合示踪的比较研究

目的比较单用亚甲蓝或联合亚甲蓝及同位素示踪剂在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中的价值及研究影响前哨淋巴结活检准确性的因素。方法收集2005年3月至2006年7月期间行前哨淋巴结活检的164例乳腺癌患者,单用亚甲蓝示踪剂组104例,活检前乳晕旁皮下注射亚甲蓝2ml;亚甲蓝和同位素联合示踪剂组60例,术前肿瘤周围实质中4点注射^99m锝-硫胶体2mCi/4ml,经淋巴显像,术中在γ探测仪引导下行腋窝前哨淋巴结活检。结果前哨淋巴结总的检出率为97.0%（159/164）,准确性为95.0%（151/159）,假阴性率为14.0%（8/57）;联合组检出率、准确率、敏感性、阴性预测值高于亚甲蓝组,联合组的假阴性率为8.7%（2/23）,较亚甲蓝组17.7%的假阴性率为低（6/34）,但差异均无统计学意义（P=0.453）。亚甲蓝组平均每例检测出2.2枚前哨淋巴结,联合组为平均2.5枚（P=0.223）。前哨淋巴结数目≥3和〈3枚的患者假阴性率分别为0%和24.2%（8/33）（P=0.016）。联合组中发现73枚无蓝染仅有热点的前哨淋巴结,故同位素的应用将本组患者的检出率从85.0%（51/60）提高至98.3%（59/60）,假阴性率从21.7%（5/23）降低至8.7% （2/23）。结论在取得一定经验的情况下,亚甲蓝示踪与联合染料、同位素示踪可获得相似的前哨淋巴结检出率、准确率;同位素示踪剂的应用对亚甲蓝示踪起到很好的补充作用;前哨淋巴结检出越多,假阴性率越低。     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检

目的 评价前哨淋巴结活检预测腋窝淋巴结有无肿瘤转移的准确性及其临床意义。方法 用^99m锝－硫胶体作为示踪剂,用γ探测仪导向,对70例临床分期为T1－2N0M0的乳腺癌患者进行前哨淋巴结活检,所有的患者均同时行腋窝淋巴结清扫,HE染色阴性的前哨淋巴结再切片,用CK8、CK19、KP－1行免疫组织化学染色。结果 70例患者中成功发现前哨淋巴结的有67例,发现率为95.7%（67／70）。前哨淋巴结的数量为1－5枚,平均每例1.6枚。非前哨淋巴结5－20枚,平均例12.3枚。67例前哨淋巴结活检成功的患者中,29例患者（43.3%）有腋窝淋巴结转移,其中前哨淋巴结有转移者24例（35.8%）,前哨淋巴结未发现转移而非前哨淋巴结有转移者5例（7.5%）。7例患者（10.4%）只有有淋巴结为阳性淋巴结,前哨淋巴结活检的准确性为100％。43例患者的65枚HE染色阴性一的前哨淋巴结,CK8及CK19免疫组织化学染色均为阴性。结论 前哨淋巴结检能较准确地预测腋窝淋巴结转移情况,对原发灶为T1的乳腺癌,前哨淋巴结活检的准确性为100％。同一层面切片行免疫组织化学染色并不能提高淋巴结微转移癌的发现率。     

男性乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检11例分析

目的 以亚甲蓝注射液为示踪剂检测男性乳腺癌前哨淋巴结,并根据活检及腋窝淋巴结清扫结果评价前哨淋巴结活检在男性乳腺癌治疗中的应用价值.方法 将郑州大学第一附属医院乳腺外科2010年3月-2014年12月收治的男性乳腺癌患者11例入组,临床分期为cT1 ～ T2N0M0.使用亚甲蓝注射液为示踪剂,给予11例患者前哨淋巴结活检,同时给予腋窝淋巴结清扫.结果 11例男性乳腺癌患者,10例检出前哨淋巴结,检出率为90.9％(10/11).前哨淋巴结1～3枚,平均1.8枚.非前哨淋巴结8～14枚,平均10.5枚.1例未检出患者排除分析.10例前哨淋巴结活检成功的患者中6例转移(6/10);前哨淋巴结未转移而非前哨淋巴结转移的患者1例(1/10).本组研究中前哨淋巴结对腋窝淋巴结状况的符合率(准确性)为90％(9/10);灵敏度为100％(6/6)％;准确率为60％(6/10).结论 使用亚甲蓝注射液行前哨淋巴结活检能够准确预测男性乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结的转移情况,可作为早期男性乳腺癌评估腋窝分期的可靠手段.     

乳腺癌腔镜前哨淋巴结活检83例临床分析

目的探讨染料法腔镜腋窝前哨淋巴结活检在乳腺癌中的可行性和临床意义。方法应用亚甲蓝染色法对83例Ⅰ、Ⅱ期乳腺癌行腔镜前哨淋巴结活检(ESLNB),然后行腔镜腋窝淋巴结清扫(EALND)。对获取的全部淋巴结行病理检查,评价前哨淋巴结检出率、准确率及假阴性率。结果83例中73例检出前哨淋巴结,检出率87.9%(73/83)。ESLNB准确率97.3%(71/73),灵敏性88.2%(15/17),特异性100.0%(56/56)。结论染料法腔镜腋窝前哨淋巴结活检临床可行,能够对早期乳腺癌进行准确分期,但体重指数高、肿瘤部位在内侧、术前肿瘤切除活检、腔镜技术欠熟练等是影响前哨淋巴结检出的主要因素。     

早期乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检手术中示踪方法的临床应用研究

目的对比分析核素联合亚甲蓝与亚甲蓝单示踪法在早期乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检术中应用效果。方法收集我院385例行前哨淋巴结活检术的乳腺癌患者的临床资料,其中109例由高年资医生应用亚甲蓝单示踪法,276例由高年资和低年资两组医生应用核素联合亚甲蓝示踪法,对比分析行联合示踪法与单示踪法前哨淋巴结活检结果的差异。并分析不同年资手术医生在联合示踪法前哨淋巴结活检结果的差异。结果联合示踪法与亚甲蓝单示踪法在前哨淋巴结活检的检出率、假阴性率、准确率、灵敏率无统计学意义(P>0.05),在联合示踪法下,高年资手术医生与低年资手术医生的前哨淋巴结活检的检出率、假阴性率、准确率无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论高年资外科医生使用亚甲蓝单示踪法行前哨淋巴结活检,是安全可靠又经济的方法。联合示踪法有助于帮助年轻的乳腺外科医生快速掌握熟悉前哨淋巴结活检技术。     

早期乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检手术中示踪方法的临床应用研究

目的对比分析核素联合亚甲蓝与亚甲蓝单示踪法在早期乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检术中应用效果。方法收集我院385例行前哨淋巴结活检术的乳腺癌患者的临床资料,其中109例由高年资医生应用亚甲蓝单示踪法,276例由高年资和低年资两组医生应用核素联合亚甲蓝示踪法,对比分析行联合示踪法与单示踪法前哨淋巴结活检结果的差异。并分析不同年资手术医生在联合示踪法前哨淋巴结活检结果的差异。结果联合示踪法与亚甲蓝单示踪法在前哨淋巴结活检的检出率、假阴性率、准确率、灵敏率无统计学意义(P>0.05),在联合示踪法下,高年资手术医生与低年资手术医生的前哨淋巴结活检的检出率、假阴性率、准确率无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论高年资外科医生使用亚甲蓝单示踪法行前哨淋巴结活检,是安全可靠又经济的方法。联合示踪法有助于帮助年轻的乳腺外科医生快速掌握熟悉前哨淋巴结活检技术。     

联合吲哚菁绿荧光法与蓝染法行乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检的临床研究

目的:探讨联合应用吲哚菁绿(ICG)荧光示踪法与蓝染法行乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检(SLNB)的可行性。方法:选择2014年3月―2015年10月期间276例乳腺癌患者,其中131例患者应用ICG联合美蓝行SLNB(联合组),145例患者以美蓝为示踪剂行SLNB(美蓝组)。所有患者SLNB结束后均行I、II水平腋窝淋巴清扫。结果:两组基本临床资料差异无统计学意义(均P0.05);联合组前哨淋巴结(SLNs)检出率明显高于美蓝组(96.9 vs.89.7%,P=0.017),平均检出SLNs数目明显多于美蓝组(3.0枚vs.2.1枚,P=0.011);假阴性率低于美蓝组(7.1% vs.10.9%),但差异无统计学意义(P=0.813)。全组数据统计分析显示,SLNs检出个数≤2时的假阴性率明显高于SLNs检出个数≥3时假阴性率(17.5% vs.2.1%,P=0.033)。结论:ICG荧光示踪法联合蓝染法行乳腺癌SLNB相对于蓝染法有检出率高、SLNs平均检出个数多、淋巴管实时显像的优势,在不具备核素法广泛应用条件时推荐使用。     

Concordance and validation study of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer using subareolar injection of blue dye and technetium 99m sulfur colloid

BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated the utility, accuracy, and advantages of a subareolar (SA) site of injection for blue dye compared with an intraparenchymal site. In later studies we advocated the additional use of preoperative SA-injected technetium 99m-labeled sulfur colloid as a directional aid in finding blue-stained sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). Paramount to the usefulness of this dual-tracer, same-site technique is the degree to which SA-injected blue dye and SA-injected radiocolloid migrate concordantly and are deposited within the same sentinel nodes. The purpose of this study was to document the correlation and accuracy of SLN biopsy using blue dye and radiocolloid when both nodal markers are injected by the same SA route. STUDY DESIGN: Between September 1999 and February 2002 (29 months), 185 consecutive patients with 187 operable breast cancers underwent 187 attempted SLN biopsies by a dual-tracer, same-site injection technique using the SA approach for both agents. Unfiltered technetium 99m-labeled sulfur colloid (1 mCi [37 MBq]) was SA-injected 30 to 45 minutes preoperatively; and just after anesthetic induction, 3 mL of 1% isosulfan blue dye was injected by the same SA route. SLN biopsies or complete axillary dissections were carried out, and SLNs identified during these procedures were classified as containing both blue dye and radioactivity ("blue-hot" nodes), radioactivity alone ("hot-only" nodes), or blue dye alone ("blue-only" nodes). Cases were categorized and tabulated based on the presence or absence of these three types of SLNs. RESULTS: Of the 187 procedures, a SLN was identified successfully in 184 cases, indicating an SLN identification rate of 98.4% (95% confidence interval, 96.6% to 100.2%). In these 184 cases, a blue-hot node was present in 94.5% (n = 174 of 184). An SLN was positive in 50 cases, or 27.2% of the total group (n = 50 of 184). A blue-hot node was the only positive SLN in 43 of these 50 cases, or 86% of the node-positive cases. There were no false negatives in 20 confirmatory axillary node dissections carried out to document the findings of a negative SLN. A correlation analysis revealed that in 98.9% of cases (174 of 176), blue nodes were also radioactive ("blue-hot" case concordance = 98.9%). In 95.1% of cases (174 of 183), hot nodes had also taken up blue dye ("hot-blue" case concordance = 95.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Using SA injections of both blue dye and radiocolloid, we achieved an SLN identification rate of 98.4% (184 of 187 cases), a false-negative rate of 0% (0 of 20 cases), and an accuracy in predicting the malignant status of the axilla of 100% (70 of 70 cases). The case concordance rate ranged between 98.9% ("blue-hot concordance") and 95.1% ("hot-blue concordance"). The present study is the first to evaluate dual-tracer, same-site SA injections of blue dye and radiocolloid. By demonstrating a high case concordance rate, a high SLN identification rate, and a 0% false-negative rate, this study adds further support to the validity and accuracy of same-site SA injections of both blue dye and radiocolloid during SLN biopsy in breast cancer.     

Lymphoscintigraphic visualization of internal mammary nodes with subtumoral injection of radiocolloid in patients with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether subtumoral injection of radiocolloid is useful for lymphoscintigraphic visualization of the internal mammary node and in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy of the axilla in breast cancer patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The presence of retromammary lymphatics connecting to the axillary and internal mammary basins has been demonstrated by early anatomic studies. Thus, it is hypothesized that some lymph, especially that from the parenchyma under the tumor, may drain into both the axillary and internal mammary basins. METHODS: Patients (n = 196) with T1-2, N0 breast cancer underwent preoperative lymphoscintigraphy with radiocolloid (technetium 99m tin colloid) injection into various sites of the breast, followed by SLN biopsy using the combined method with blue dye. Patients were divided into four groups: group A (n = 41), peritumoral injection of both radiocolloid and blue dye; group B (n = 70), periareolar radiocolloid and peritumoral blue dye; group C (n = 45), intradermal radiocolloid and periareolar blue dye; and group D (n = 40), subtumoral radiocolloid and intradermal blue dye. A retrospective analysis of 1,297 breast cancer patients who underwent extended radical mastectomy with internal mammary node dissection was also conducted to determine the relationship between vertical tumor location (superficial or deep) and frequency of axillary and internal mammary node metastases. RESULTS: One patient (2%) in group A, 3 (4%) in group B, 0 (0%) in group C, and 15 (38%) in group D exhibited hot spots in the internal mammary region on lymphoscintigraphy (P <.001, group D vs. the other groups). The concordance rate of radiocolloid and blue dye methods in detection of SLNs in the axillary basin was significantly lower in group D than in the other groups. In contrast, the mismatch rate (some SLNs were identified by radiocolloid and other SLNs were identified by blue dye, but no SLN was identified by both in the same patient) was significantly higher in group D than in the other groups. In patients treated with extended radical mastectomy, positivity of axillary and internal mammary metastases was significantly higher in patients (n = 215) with deep tumors than those (n = 368) with superficial tumors. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the presence of a retromammary lymphatic pathway from the deep portion of the breast to both axillary and internal mammary basins, which is distinct from the superficial pathway. Therefore, SLN biopsy with a combination of subtumoral and other (peritumoral, dermal, or areolar) injections of radiocolloid will improve both axillary and internal mammary nodal staging.     

Subareolar injection of99mTc facilitates sentinel lymph node identification

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy with the standard intraparenchymal injection has been accepted as an alternative to routine axillary dissection for patients with breast cancer. However, the identification and false-negative rates with this method can vary widely from surgeon to surgeon. The subareolar location contains a rich lymphatic network and represents a potential site of injection for SLN identification. METHODS: Between August 1, 1999, and December 31, 2000, we performed 159 SLN biopsy procedures on 158 patients with breast cancer. For each patient, 99mTc-labeled sulfur colloid was injected into the subareolar location, and 1% isosulfan blue dye was given as an intraparenchymal injection. RESULTS: In every case, at least one radioactive SLN was identified with the subareolar injection of technetium; a blue SLN was found in 97% of the cases. The blue SLN was also radioactive in 98% of the cases, indicating that the blue dye injected around the tumor and the technetium injected into the subareolar location drained to the same SLN. CONCLUSIONS: Subareolar injection of technetium can improve SLN identification rates for breast cancer. The simplicity and accuracy of this technique may also reduce the variable results reported with the standard intraparenchymal method.     

Intradermal radioisotope is superior to peritumoral blue dye or radioisotope in identifying breast cancer sentinel nodes

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and biopsy have emerged as the technique of choice for axillary staging of breast cancer. Several methods have been developed to identify SLNs, including peritumoral or intradermal injection of isosulfan blue dye or technetium sulfur colloid (TSC). We hypothesize that intradermal TSC is the optimal mapping technique and can be used alone to identify SLNs. STUDY DESIGN: From March 1997 through January 2001, 180 women with T1 and T2 invasive breast cancer and clinically negative axilla underwent SLN mapping and biopsy. Peritumoral TSC was injected in 74 patients, 62 of whom also received peritumoral blue dye. Intradermal TSC (above tumor) was performed in 94 patients, 76 of whom also received peritumoral blue dye. Technetium-rich nodes were identified intraoperatively using a hand-held gamma probe and blue nodes were identified visually. Hematoxylin- and eosin-stained SLN sections were examined by light microscopy for breast cancer metastases. RESULTS: Overall, the SLN mapping procedures were successful in 91% of patients. Peritumoral and intradermal TSC were successful in identifying SLNs in 78% and 97% of patients, respectively. Peritumorally injected isosulfan blue was successful in identifying 83% of SLNs. Intradermal TSC was found to be superior to peritumoral TSC and peritumoral blue dye in identifying SLNs (p = 0.00094, chi-squared, and p = 0.020, ANOVA). CONCLUSIONS: SLN mapping by intradermal TSC has a significantly higher success rate than peritumoral TSC or blue dye. There was minimal benefit in identifying additional SLNs with addition of peritumoral blue dye to intradermal TSC. So, SLN mapping and biopsy using intradermal-injected TSC can be used alone to effectively stage the axilla for breast cancer.     

Methylene blue dye--a safe and effective alternative for sentinel lymph node localization

Abstract:  Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has emerged as an effective diagnostic tool in axillary staging in breast cancer. The commonly used technique employs isosulfan blue/patent blue V combined with radioactive colloid tracer. Methylene blue (MB) is a less expensive and readily available alternative dye. The study evaluated the safety and efficacy of MB in SLN localization. A retrospective study of 329 patients with early breast cancer who had SLN localization as part of an ethically approved prospective evaluation study of SLN localization technique was carried out. Lymph node positive, tumors >2 cm on clinical and radiological evaluation, those with previous breast and axillary surgery, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were excluded from the study. One hundred seventy three patients underwent SLN localization using 1 mL of 1% MB, and a combined MB-radio colloid tracer technique was used in the other 156 patients. Allocation to the groups was by simple randomization. Injection of the dye and radioisotope was into the subdermal plane in the sub-areolar region. Patients underwent breast conservation surgery or mastectomy with SLN directed four node axillary sampling ± axillary clearance. The lymph node was examined by standard microscopy. There were no reported complications with the use of MB aside from temporary tattooing. The technique failed in eight patients giving an identification rate of 97.6%. Ten of the 258 (3.9%) patients had false-negative SLN, with negative predictive value of 96.1%, sensitivity of predicting further axillary disease of 73%, specificity of 87.3%, and overall accuracy of 85.7%. Reported adverse reaction to isosulfan blue/patent blue V varied from minor to severe anaphylactic reactions (1–3%) requiring vigorous resuscitation. Subdermal sub-areolar injection of MB is safe and effective readily available dye for SLN localization in axillary staging of breast cancer with no major adverse reaction.     

Practical guidelines for optimal gamma probe detection of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer: results of a multi-institutional study. For the University of Louisville Breast Cancer Study Group

INTRODUCTION: Multiple radioactive lymph nodes are often removed during the course of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer when both blue dye and radioactive colloid injection are used. Some of the less radioactive lymph nodes are second echelon nodes, not true SLNs. The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether harvesting these less radioactive nodes, in addition to the "hottest" SLNs, reduces the false-negative rate. METHODS: Patients were enrolled in this multicenter (121 surgeons) prospective, institutional review board-approved study after informed consent was obtained. Patients with clinical stage T1-2, N0, M0 invasive breast cancer were eligible. This analysis includes all patients who underwent axillary SLN biopsy with the use of an injection of both isosulfan blue dye and radioactive colloid. The protocol specified that all blue nodes and all nodes with 10% or more of the ex vivo count of the hottest node should be removed and designated SLNs. All patients underwent completion level I/II axillary dissection. RESULTS: SLNs were identified in 672 of 758 patients (89%). Of the patients with SLNs identified, 403 patients (60%) had more than 1 SLN removed (mean, 1.96 SLN/patient) and 207 patients (31%) had nodal metastases. The use of filtered or unfiltered technetium sulfur colloid had no impact on the number of SLNs identified. Overall, 33% of histologically positive SLNs had no evidence of blue dye staining. Of those patients with multiple SLNs removed, histologically positive SLNs were found in 130 patients. In 15 of these 130 patients (11.5%), the hottest SLN was negative when a less radioactive node was positive for tumor. If only the hottest node had been removed, the false-negative rate would have been 13.0% versus 5.8% when all nodes with 10% or more of the ex vivo count of the hottest node were removed (P =.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data support the policy that all blue nodes and all nodes with 10% or more of the ex vivo count of the hottest SLN should be harvested for optimal nodal staging.     

Immediate preoperative injection of 99m-Tc sulfur colloid is effective in the detection of breast sentinel lymph nodes

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is an accurate technique to determine the metastatic status of lymph nodes. Radionuclide guidance makes the procedure easier and improves the success rate. Coordinating the operating room and nuclear medicine schedules causes delays when same-day radionuclide injection is used. We hypothesized that injection of 99m-Tc sulfur colloid immediately preoperatively is effective in SLN detection. We analyzed a prospective database of 70 patients treated at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. The first 39 patients underwent completion axillary dissection (Group A) and subdermal injection of sulfur colloid immediately before surgery. A second group of 31 patients (Group B) had intraparenchymal injection immediately before surgery. We used isosulfan blue in all cases. SLNs were identified in 97 per cent of cases. SLNs were radioactive in 94 per cent and blue in 90 per cent. In Group A the accuracy and the positive and negative predictive values of SLN biopsy were 100 per cent. SLN counts per second ranged from 22 to 1700. The mean count per second was 290 +/- 281 (mean +/- standard deviation). Subdermal and intraparenchymal injections were equally successful (93% vs 92%). In conclusion injection of radiocolloid and isosulfan blue immediately preoperatively is highly successful and accurate in the detection of SLNs in breast cancer. It avoids operating room schedule delays.     

Validation of subareolar and periareolar injection techniques for breast sentinel lymph node biopsy

HYPOTHESIS: Subareolar or periareolar injection of radioactive technetium sulfur colloid is equivalent to other injection techniques for breast cancer sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, multicenter clinical trial. PATIENTS: A total of 3961 individuals with clinical stage I and II breast cancer. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent attempted SLN biopsy followed by completion axillary dissection. Injection technique was determined by the preference of each participating surgeon. Most surgeons had little or no experience with SLN biopsy before participation in this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The SLN identification and false-negative rates. RESULTS: An SLN biopsy was performed in 3961 patients using blue dye alone or radioactive colloid plus blue dye. Subareolar and periareolar radioactive colloid injection techniques were associated with SLN identification rates of 99.3% and 95.6%, respectively, with false-negative rates of 8.3% and 8.9%, respectively. The identification rates were significantly higher for these 2 techniques than for peritumoral injection of radioactive colloid (91.1%) or the use of blue dye alone (88.5%) (P<.001). The false-negative rates were similar for all techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Although many medical centers have adopted subareolar and periareolar radioactive colloid injections because of their simplicity and convenience, a paucity of data from a few single-institutional studies has existed to substantiate the false-negative rates associated with these techniques. The results of this multicenter study establish the validity of subareolar and periareolar radioactive colloid injections and support the hypothesis that the lymphatic drainage of the entire breast is to the same few SLNs.     

Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy for breast cancer does not improve the ability to identify axillary sentinel lymph nodes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Numerous studies have demonstrated that SLN biopsy can be used to stage axillary lymph nodes for breast cancer. SLN biopsy is performed using injection of radioactive colloid, blue dye, or both. When radioactive colloid is used, a preoperative lymphoscintigram (nuclear medicine scan) is often obtained to ease SLN identification. Whether a preoperative lymphoscintigram adds diagnostic accuracy to offset the additional time and cost required is not clear. METHODS: After informed consent was obtained, 805 patients were enrolled in the University of Louisville Breast Cancer Sentinel Lymph Node Study, a multiinstitutional study involving 99 surgeons. Patients with clinical stage T1-2, N0 breast cancer were eligible for the study. All patients underwent SLN biopsy, followed by level I/II axillary dissection. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was performed at the discretion of the individual surgeon. Biopsy of nonaxillary SLNs was not required in the protocol. Chi-square analysis and analysis of variance were used for statistical comparison. RESULTS: Radioactive colloid injection was performed in 588 patients. In 560, peritumoral injection of isosulfan blue dye was also performed. A preoperative lymphoscintigram was obtained in 348 of the 588 patients (59%). The SLN was identified in 221 of 240 patients (92.1%) who did not undergo a preoperative lymphoscintigram, with a false-negative rate of 1.6%. In the 348 patients who underwent a preoperative lymphoscintigram, the SLN was identified in 310 (89.1%), with a false-negative rate of 8.7%. A mean of 2.2 and 2. 0 SLNs per patient were removed in the groups without and with a preoperative lymphoscintigram, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the SLN identification rate, false-negative rate, or number of SLNs removed when a preoperative lymphoscintigram was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy does not improve the ability to identify axillary SLN during surgery, nor does it decrease the false-negative rate. Routine preoperative lymphoscintigraphy is not necessary for the identification of axillary SLNs in breast cancer.     

Methylene Blue Dye as an Alternative to Isosulfan Blue Dye for Sentinel Lymph Node Localization

Background: Our study describes the use of methylene blue dye as an alternative to isosulfan blue dye to identify the sentinel lymph node (SLN).Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of 112 breast cancer patients (113 axillae) who underwent SLN biopsy (SLNB) with methylene blue dye and ^99mTc-labeled sulfur colloid for SLN identification. All SLNs were submitted for intraoperative frozen section analysis, hematoxylin and eosin stain, and immunohistochemical evaluation. Patients with a pathologically negative SLN did not undergo further axillary lymph node dissection.Results: Of 112 patients who underwent SLNB, the SLN was identified in 107 (95.5%); 104 (92.8%) were identified by methylene blue dye. In a subset of 99 patients with recorded isotope status in relation to blue nodes, concordant identification with both dye and isotope was observed in 94 (94.9%). Of patients with identified SLNs, 32 (29.9%) of 107 contained metastatic disease, with 31 (96.9%) of 32 identified by methylene blue dye. The SLN was the only positive node in 18 (60.0%) of 30 patients.Conclusions: SLNB with methylene blue dye is an effective alternative to isosulfan blue dye for accurately identifying SLNs in breast cancer patients.Presented at the Society of Surgical Oncologys 55th Annual Cancer Symposium, Denver, Colorado, March 14–17, 2002.