99Tcm-硫化铼胶体在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中的应用

目的：探讨99Tcm-硫化铼胶体在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结（SLN）活检中的应用价值。 方法：30例T1~T2期乳腺恶性肿瘤患者入选,术前15~24 h乳晕下注射99Tcm-硫化铼,使用SPECT/CT进行SLN淋巴显像,定位;术中用γ探测仪寻找SLN,行SLN活检后,常规行乳癌手术;术后对SLN活检和腋窝淋巴结（ALN）清扫的病理结果进行比较分析。 结果：30例共有29例检到SLN,共检出SLN 31枚,检出率,准确率分别为97.67%,100%;SLN状态与腋淋巴结转移的符合率为100%,无假阳性及假阴性情况出现。 结论：99Tcm-硫化铼用于乳腺癌SLN活检是一种较理想的核素示踪剂。     

亚甲蓝示踪乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检的临床可行性

目的:探讨亚甲蓝染料定位法检测乳腺癌前哨淋巴结（SLN）的临床价值。方法:对65例腋窝淋巴结临床检查阴性的乳腺癌患者在行乳腺癌根治性手术前用0.5％亚甲蓝4 mL注射定位，单独活检SLN；同时行常规腋窝淋巴结清扫术，根据注射部位，将入组患者分为乳晕注射组(34例)和肿块旁注射组(31例)，其中对两组的检出结果进行比较。结果:58例患者SLN成功检出，检出率为89.22%（58/65），假阴性率为8.33％(1/12)。乳晕周围注射组的检出率为85.29%(29/34)，假阴性率为20.0%(1/5)；肿块周围腺体内注射组检出率为93.55%(29/31)，无假阴性病例。两组的检出率和假阴性率比较结果均无统计学差异（P＞0.05）;15例出现SLN和非SLN均蓝染，其中乳晕周围注射组11例，发生率为37.93%(11/34)，肿块周围腺体内注射组4例，发生率为13.79%(4/31),两者比较差异有显著性(P＜0.05)。结论:亚甲蓝是一种安全、可靠的乳腺癌SLN示踪剂；肿块周围腺体内注射SLN定位较乳晕注射准确。     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结中hMAM的表达及其临床意义

目的探讨乳腺癌前哨淋巴结(SLN)组织中人乳腺珠蛋白(hMAM)的表达及其临床意义。方法 32例可手术的原发性乳腺癌患者,在乳腺癌根治性手术中均行肿块周围或乳晕周围注射亚甲蓝成功定位SLN,按常规行腋窝淋巴结清扫,术后对SLN和非SLN行常规病理学检查,并进一步采用RT-PCR和Western Blot检测SLN冷冻组织中hMAM的表达。结果 32例SLN常规病理检查结果6例阳性SLN,阳性率为18.75%,1例假阴性,假阴性率为14.28%。RT-PCR和Western Blot检测hMAM,阳性SLN分别为12例和9例,阳性率分别为37.50%和28.13%,无假阴性。两者与病理检查结果相比差异均有显著性(P0.05)。结论 SLN定位后检测SLN中hMAMmRNA的阳性表达,相对于SLN定位后仅行常规病理检查,明显提高了乳腺癌阳性SLN的准确率,降低假阴性率。故hMAMmRNA可单独作为标志物来检测乳腺癌SLN微转移。     

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。     

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。     

手术中蓝染法鉴别前哨淋巴结及其意义

目的 探讨手术中用亚甲蓝染色法鉴别乳癌前哨淋巴结（SLN）的可行性及准确性。方法 术中于癌块周围注射1％亚甲蓝4－6ml,5-10min后开始手术，凡术中发现被蓝染的淋巴结即认定为SLN，单独切除送病检；相应腋窝行淋巴结清扫，所得淋巴结既为非SLN，亦送常规病检。结果 50例中发现SLN者45例，检出率为90.0%；45例中SLN共计117枚，其中位于第Ⅰ站淋巴站111枚，占95.0%，位于第Ⅱ站淋巴结6枚，占5.0%。在鉴别SLN失败的5例中，4例癌块位于下象限，仅1例癌块位于上象限（P＜0.05），而与癌块大小之间差异无显著意义（P＞0.05）。SLN病检结果预测腋窝状况的准确率达91.0%；4例SLN病检阴性，但非SLN病检阳性，假阴性率为8.9%。结论 术中亚甲蓝染色法能较准确鉴别SLN；SLN可准确反映乳癌患者腋窝状况。SLN与原发癌瘤的位置有关，而与其大小及以胶是否行乳腺手术无关。     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检的初步体会

目的 初步探讨乳腺癌前哨淋巴结（sentinel lymph node,SLN)检测的可行性,SLN预测腋窝淋巴结状态的可靠性。方法 对我院普外科收治的15例T1-2期、腋窝未扪及肿大淋巴结的乳腺癌病人,使用^99mTc右旋糖酐或^99mTc硫胶体为示踪剂,γ探测仪探测SLN,然后进行活检和腋窝淋巴结清扫（axillary lymph node dissection,ALND)。两处标本同时送病理检查,以此来评价SLN的病理组织学结果能否准确地反映腋窝淋巴结状态。结果 在10例病人中发现SLN,发现率为66.6%(10/15),SLN的数量为1-3枚/例,平均2.1枚/例,非前哨淋巴结（non-sentinel lymph node,NSLN)5-16枚/例,平均10.3枚/例,发现SLN的10例病人中1例（10%）SLN有癌转移,其他腋窝淋巴结未见转移;2例SLN未发现癌转移而NSLN有癌转移,假阴性率20%（2/10）,准确性80%（8/10）,结论 乳腺癌前哨淋巴结定位和活检技术以及预测腋窝淋巴结状态的可靠性方面有待进一步积累经验,提高准确性,降低假阴性率。     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结检测的临床研究

目的通过前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymph node,SLN)活检,了解前哨淋巴结是否能反映乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移情况,从而决定是否行腋窝淋巴结清扫(axillary lymph node dissection,ALND). 方法 47例T1、T2、T3临床检查腋窝淋巴结无肿大的乳腺癌患者,术前30 min于乳腺肿块周围腺体注射蓝色染料,术中取蓝染的SLN病理检查,术后将病理检查结果与腋窝淋巴结转移情况进行比较分析. 结果 47例中5例未见淋巴结及淋巴管蓝染,其余42例找到腋窝淋巴结608个,阳性18例168个,阴性24例440个;SLN共78个,阳性16例29个,阴性26例49个.SLN的检出率89.4%,准确性95.2% ,特异性100%,敏感性88.9%,假阴性率11.1%,假阳性率0. 结论 SLN活检反应腋窝淋巴结的肿瘤转移状况,可以用于术中确定是否行ALND.     

前哨淋巴结活检在乳腺癌中的临床应用

目的 探讨术中前哨淋巴结（sentinel lymph node,SLN）定位和活检（SLNB）对预测乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结（axillary lymph node,ALN）转移的准确性.方法 对48例乳腺癌患者术前10min用亚甲蓝注射液4ml注射到肿瘤周围或活检腔的正常乳腺组织,进行SLN定位和活检,然后行乳腺癌改良根治术.结果 SLNB的检出成功率为95.8%,准确率为97.8%,假阴性率3.0%,假阳性率为0.结论 用亚甲蓝作SLN定位进行SLNB能准确预测乳腺癌ALN转移状态.     

Improved Lymphatic Mapping Technique for Breast Cancer

Abstract: Breast sentinel lymph node biopsy is becoming more common. However, the best injection technique is not well established. Currently the gold standard is peritumoral injection. However, for upper outer quadrant tumors there is considerable axillary “shine through” which makes the identification of the radioactive sentinel lymph node difficult. We undertook a study to compare an injection in Sappey's subareolar plexus to the gold standard of peritumoral injection. Between December 1997 and March 1998, 85 patients with breast cancer were enrolled in the study. All patients were injected with 2 cc of normal saline containing 1.0 mCi of unfiltered technetium sulfur colloid in Sappey's subareolar plexus in the clock position of the breast cancer. In the operating room the patients underwent a peritumoral injection of 5 cc of 1% isosulfan blue. All blue and radioactive lymph nodes were identified and removed. The majority of the tumors were in the upper outer quadrant and were diagnosed by core biopsy. Only half of the patients had palpable tumors and approximately 25% had previous upper outer quadrant biopsy incisions. Peritumoral blue dye injection yielded an identification rate of 94%, with 99% of these being blue and radioactive. Three patients had radioactive lymph nodes with no blue lymph nodes identified. One of these patients had a micrometastasis. Injection in Sappey's subareolar plexus in the clock position of the tumor drained to the same sentinel lymph node as peritumoral injection. This injection technique solved the two major problems confronting the wide adoption of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer staging. First, it eliminates axillary “shine through” which will allow nonspecialist surgeons to more easily identify the radioactive axillary sentinel lymph node. Second, it allows for easier isotope injection by the technician or nuclear medicine physician, by eliminating the need for three-dimensional localization. This new technique should allow the majority of breast cancer patients who are treated by nonspecialist surgeons to be offered this less morbid, more accurate procedure.     

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.     

Concordance of peritumoral technetium 99m colloid and subareolar blue dye injection in breast cancer sentinel lymph node biopsy

INTRODUCTION: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has emerged as a less invasive method for axillary lymph node staging in patients with breast cancer. Blue dye and radioisotopes are commonly used agents to localize SLNs, but the optimal site for the injection of these agents continues to be debated. In this study, we evaluated whether subareolar injection of blue dye led to the identification of the same SLNs as peritumoral injection of technetium colloid. METHODS: From March 2003 to August 2006, 124 patients with invasive breast cancer, diagnosed by core needle biopsy, were included in this study. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from medical records. Approximately 1 h prior to surgery, all patients had peritumoral injection of 37 Mbq of Tc-99m-sulfur colloid. In the operating room, 3 to 5 mL of 1% lymphazurin was injected into the subareolar area. SLNs were categorized as radio-labeled-only, blue-only, or radio-labeled + blue. Data were analyzed with 95% exact confidence intervals, Spearman rank coefficient and kappa coefficient. RESULTS: The mean number of SLNs identified was 1.9 (range 1-5). With the combination of two methods 122 out of 124 patients (98.4%) had successful identification of SLNs. One hundred fifteen patients (92.7%) had SLNs that were blue and 121 patients (97.6%) had radio-labeled SLNs. One hundred fourteen patients had at least one SLN that was both blue and radio-labeled, yielding a concordance rate of 91.9% (95% CI, 0.88-0.98). Metastatic disease was identified in SLNs of 28 patients. All lymph nodes with evidence of metastasis were both blue and radio-labeled. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a high degree of concordance between subareolar blue dye and peritumoral radiocolloid in identification of SLNs. These results further support that the breast parenchyma and subareolar plexus drain to similar SLNs within the axilla. These two techniques can complement each other in localizing SLNs with a high success rate.     

Subareolar injection is a better technique for sentinel lymph node biopsy

BACKGROUND: Numerous techniques and materials show accuracy in localizing the sentinel lymph node (SLN). We hypothesized that subareolar injection of material would localize the SLN as effectively as peritumoral injection. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients were injected with technetium-99 sulfur colloid either peritumorally or subareolarly in addition to the injection of blue dye around the tumor. Radioactive SLNs were localized using a hand-held gamma probe. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were included in each of the two groups, peritumoral and subareolar. SLNs were found in all patients injected subareolarly and in 18 of 19 injected peritumorally. The false-negative rate was 20% for peritumoral injection and 0% for subareolar injection. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that subareolar injection was as accurate, if not more accurate, than peritumoral injection for localizing the SLN. This technique is simpler than peritumoral injection and does not require injection under image guidance for nonpalpable lesions.     

Sequential dermal-peritumoral radiocolloid injection for sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer: the University of Florida experience

Although sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is rapidly becoming the standard of care for small breast cancers the optimal radiocolloid injection technique remains controversial. We report our experience with sequential dermal-peritumoral radiocolloid injection that takes advantage of both techniques. One hundred eighteen patients with clinical stage T(is), T1, T2 and N0 breast cancer underwent SLN biopsy at the University of Florida. Twelve to 18 hours before surgery patients received either an injection of 0.5 to 1.0 mCi 50:50 filtered:unfiltered technetium sulfur colloid into the dermis overlying the tumor and/or a peritumoral injection of a 3 to 4-mCi of radiocolloid 30 minutes later. Dynamic lymphoscintigraphy was performed and the topographical location of all imaged lymph nodes was marked on the skin. The next morning the surgeon utilized a hand-held gamma probe to remove all SLN(s) defined as any lymph node with radioactive counts 10 per cent or more of the ex vivo counts of the most radioactive SLN [internal mammary (IM) nodes were not removed]. The SLN identification rate was 98.5 per cent (3 IM nodes) for dermal injection (d.), 83.3 per cent (1 IM node) for peritumoral injection (p.), and 100 per cent (14 IM nodes) for sequential dermal-peritumoral injection (d.p.) (p < 0.05 DP versus D). Sequential d.p. 50:50 filtered:unfiltered technetium sulfur colloid injection results in a rapid, high SLN identification rate that persists until surgery the next morning. Delineation of nonaxillary SLNs may lead to more accurate breast cancer staging and may also influence the delivery of IM node radiation.     

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.     

Subareolar sentinel node biopsy for multiple breast cancers

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is deemed suitable only for unifocal breast cancers since multiple foci of cancers may drain to different nodes. We hypothesized that subareolar injection (SI) could identify the sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) accurately in patients with multiple cancers (MC) in the breast. METHODS: We prospectively employed SI of lymphazurin or technetium sulfur colloid, or both, for the identification of SLN in patients with MC in the breast. All patients underwent axillary dissection to compute the accuracy of SLNB. RESULTS: Forty patients presented with MC in the same breast between January 1996 and July 2002. Fifty-two percent (21 of 40) of patients had involvement of more than 1 quadrant; 18% (7 of 40) had more than 1 histologic type of cancers. SLNs were successfully identified in 100% of patients. Axillary disease was present in 63% (25 of 40) of patients. Sensitivity of SLNB was 100% and false negative rate was 0%. The SLN was the only node involved in 45% (18 of 40) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB using the SI technique may be an alternative to complete axillary dissection in patients with multiple breast cancers.     

Subareolar Subcutaneous Injection of Blue Dye versus Peritumoral Injection of Technetium-labeled Human Albumin to Identify Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer Patients

Lymphatic mapping in breast cancer patients is a widely used technique for axillary staging, though the optimal technique is not yet established. The purpose of this study was to show that subareolar and subcutaneous injection of blue dye drains to the same sentinel lymph node (SLN) in the axillary basin as does peritumoral injection of technetium (Tc)-labeled albumin. Two injection methods were compared in 154 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed pT1 or pT2 breast cancers (tumor size 5–45 mm). The diagnosis of invasive breast cancer was confirmed by core needle biopsy. Peritumoral injection of 40 to 60 MBq ⁹⁹Tc-labeled colloidal albumin was performed 18 to 20 hours prior to surgery. In addition, 2 ml of blue dye was injected subcutaneously into the subareolar plexus of the same patients exactly 5 minutes prior to incision and dissection of the SLNs. The blue and hot SLNs were identified by searching for the blue lymphatic vessel and the blue lymph node and by counting the radioactivity with a gamma probe. The correlation between the blue nodes and the hot nodes was examined. Altogether, 154 patients were enrolled in the study. Three patients had bilateral breast cancer, and a total of 157 sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNBs) were performed. The SLNs could be identified in 155 of the 157 SLNBs (98.7%), and the hot node clearly corresponded to the blue node in 151 of the 155 SLNBs (97.4%). Neither a hot node nor a blue node could be identified in 2 of the 157 SLNBs (1.3%). No concordance between the blue node and the hot node could be achieved in 4 of the 155 SLNBs (2.6%). Injection of blue dye into the subareolar lymphatic plexus shows excellent correlation with peritumoral injection of technetium-labeled albumin concerning the identification of SLNs. Our results support the hypothesis that the lymphatic drainage of the breast parenchyma and the subareolar plexus leads to the same sentinel lymph node. It is a rapid, reliable method for identifying SLNs in breast cancer patients. It is easy to perform, especially in nonpalpable tumors, and it does not disturb surgery by discoloring peritumoral tissue.     

Intraoperative Subareolar Injection of <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-Labeled Sulfur Colloid Results in Consistent Sentinel Lymph Node Identification

Background Preoperative parenchymal or peritumoral (PT) injection of ^99mTc-labeled sulfur colloid (TcSC) is the standard method for sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification in patients with breast cancer. Limitations of this method include variable identification rates, slow transit times, and painful injections. We hypothesize that TcSC will travel to the SLN within minutes after injection into the subareolar (SA) lymphatics, thus making an intraoperative injection technique feasible.Methods One hundred twenty-two women with invasive breast cancer were enrolled onto this prospective study. Immediately after the induction of general anesthesia, patients were injected with 1 to 2 mCi of filtered TcSC in the SA location. Then, 5 mL of 1% isosulfan blue dye was injected into the PT location. The SLN or SLNs were identified as radioactive, blue, or both and removed for pathologic evaluation.Results The mean patient age was 56 years. The mean tumor size was 1.5 cm. In 86.1% of patients, a transcutaneous axillary hot spot was identified by handheld gamma probe. The mean time from TcSC injection to axillary incision was 17.6 minutes. At least one SLN was identified in 99.2% of patients. The mean number of SLNs identified per patient was 1.83. The mean count of radioactive SLNs was 2715 cps. In 97.2% of patients, blue SLNs were also radioactive.Conclusions TcSC injected into the SA lymphatics rapidly drains to the SLN. The radioactive SLN is easily and quickly identified after an intraoperative SA TcSC injection. The simplicity of this method eliminates the inherent problems associated with standard PT injection.     

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.