Predicting sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer with lymphoscintigraphy

Objective

Lymphoscintigraphy is an effective method for detecting sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). However, the rate and degree of SLN detection is not uniform. We quantified SLNs detected with lymphoscintigraphy, and investigated correlations with factors that may influence detection. We then attempted to predict SLN metastasis from lymph node counts, comparing the predictions to subsequent biopsy results.

Methods

We assessed lymph node counts in 100 breast cancer patients in whom a single SLN was detected with a fixed lymphoscintigraphy procedure. We examined correlations between the counts and factors known to influence lymphoscintigraphic SLN detection (age, body mass index, tumor size, and presence or absence of metastasis), and determined reference values (lymph node counts of 10.0, 19.4 and 53.0) which were used to predict SLN metastasis in 100 subsequent patients. The predictions were then compared with the SLN biopsy findings.

Results

SLN counts correlated strongly with the presence or absence of metastasis, with metastasis-positive lymph nodes showing significantly lower counts than negative nodes (p < 0.001). Prediction of SLN metastasis achieved a 100% positive predictive value at a reference value of 10.0, and a 100% negative predictive value at a reference value of 53.0. At a reference value of 19.4, the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 77.8, 73.2, and 74.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

The SLN counts detected with lymphoscintigraphy were significantly lower in metastasis-positive lymph nodes than in metastasis-negative lymph nodes. This suggests that prediction of SLN metastasis in breast cancer is possible using lymphoscintigraphy.     

Cost-effectiveness of preoperative SPECT/CT combined with lymphoscintigraphy vs. lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel lymph node excision in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma

Purpose

Malignant melanoma has become a major growing interdisciplinary problem in public health worldwide. Sentinel lymph node excision (SLNE) in conjunction with preoperative SPECT/CT is considered the most sensitive and specific staging test for the detection of micrometastatic melanoma in regional lymph nodes. Among patients with clinically lymph node-negative melanoma, the use of SPECT/CT-aided SLNE compared with SLNE alone has been found to be associated with a higher frequency of metastatic involvement and a higher rate of disease-free survival. The aim of this study was to analyse the cost-effectiveness of SLNE with preoperative SPECT/CT for detecting sentinel lymph nodes versus that of standard SLNE with preoperative lymphoscintigraphy from a single-institution database.

Methods

Cost-effectiveness analysis of two surgical approaches for SLNE for malignant melanoma at the University Hospital Essen, Skin Cancer Center in Essen, Germany. Between March 2003 and April 2011 464 patients eligible for SLNE were identified . Of these patients, 403 with clinically negative lymph nodes who underwent SLNE with or without preoperative SPECT/CT qualified for subsequent analysis.

Results

Between March 2003 and October 2008, 254 patients were operated upon with the standard technique. From November 2008, 149 patients underwent the SPECT/CT technique. Cost analysis showed a mean cost saving of € 710.50 when SPECT/CT was added to preoperative imaging. This was achieved by a reduction in operative time (median, Q1;Q3, 40 min, 40;50 min, vs. 45 min, 35;60 min; p?=?0.002), hospital stay duration (5 days, 3;8 days, vs. 8 days, 4.5;14.5 days; p?<?0.001) and more frequent use of local anaesthesia (90.6 % vs. 70.5 %; p?<?0.001). The median cost of SLNE using SPECT/CT was € 1,619.7 (Q1;Q3 € 1,317.0;2,603.4) and of SLNE without SPECT/CT was € 2,330.2 (€ 1,468.3;4,058.1; p?<?0.001), a cost saving of 30.5 %.

Conclusion

In patients with cutaneous melanoma, the use of preoperative SPECT/CT-aided SLNE compared with standard SLNE was associated not only with higher detection of metastatic involvement but also with a significant cost reduction.     

Sentinel node detection by lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymph node biopsy in vulvar melanoma

Purpose

Vulvar melanoma is a rare malignant tumour. Its surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment whilst the surgical management of regional lymph nodes remains controversial; on the contrary elective inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy causes considerable morbidity. Lymphoscintigraphy (LS) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) are accurate staging procedures of lymph node status in breast cancer and cutaneous melanoma patients. In this retrospective paper we report our experience of LS and SLNB in vulvar melanoma patients.

Methods

Twenty-two consecutive patients with a diagnosis of vulvar melanoma were treated at our institute: patients with clinically positive groin nodes or with previous surgery on the primary tumour were excluded. Twelve were selected for our analysis. All patients underwent sentinel lymph node localization with LS the day before surgery and the surgical procedure of SLNB associated with radical surgery.

Results

Six patients had metastatic SLNB and in five of six (83.3%) it was the only positive node. In the other six patients SLNB was negative for metastatic disease. No skip metastases were observed. In SLNB negative patients the mean Breslow thickness was 2.06 mm (range: 0.60–7.10) and only one patient showed a high Breslow thickness (patient 8). In SLNB positive patients the mean Breslow thickness was 4.33 mm (1.8–6.0).

Conclusion

Our data indicate that, even in vulvar melanoma, the sentinel lymph node pathological status predicts the pathological status of the remaining groin nodes and suggests that elective groin dissection can be spared in cases of a negative SLNB. Breslow thickness (<1 mm) was not predictive of negative nodes.     

Radio-guided sentinel lymph node identification by lymphoscintigraphy fused with an anatomical vector profile: clinical applications

Objective

To develop a method to fuse lymphoscintigraphic images with an adaptable anatomical vector profile and to evaluate its role in the clinical practice.

Methods

We used Adobe Illustrator CS6 to create different vector profiles, we fused those profiles, using Adobe Photoshop CS6, with lymphoscintigraphic images of the patient. We processed 197 lymphoscintigraphies performed in patients with cutaneous melanomas, breast cancer or delayed lymph drainage.

Results

Our models can be adapted to every patient attitude or position and contain different levels of anatomical details ranging from external body profiles to the internal anatomical structures like bones, muscles, vessels, and lymph nodes. If needed, more new anatomical details can be added and embedded in the profile without redrawing them, saving a lot of time. Details can also be easily hidden, allowing the physician to view only relevant information and structures. Fusion times are about 85 s. The diagnostic confidence of the observers increased significantly. The validation process showed a slight shift (mean 4.9 mm).

Conclusions

We have created a new, practical, inexpensive digital technique based on commercial software for fusing lymphoscintigraphic images with built-in anatomical reference profiles. It is easily reproducible and does not alter the original scintigraphic image. Our method allows a more meaningful interpretation of lymphoscintigraphies, an easier recognition of the anatomical site and better lymph node dissection planning.     

Radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy in malignant cutaneous melanoma.

The procedure of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with malignant cutaneous melanoma has evolved from the notion that the tumor drains in a logical way through the lymphatic system, from the first to subsequent levels. As a consequence, the first lymph node encountered (the sentinel node) will most likely be the first affected by metastasis; therefore, a negative sentinel node makes it highly unlikely that other nodes in the same lymphatic basin are affected. Although the long-term therapeutic benefit of the sentinel lymph node biopsy per se has not yet been ascertained, this procedure distinguishes patients without nodal metastases, who can avoid nodal basin dissection with its associated risk of lymphedema, from those with metastatic involvement, who may benefit from additional therapy. Sentinel lymph node biopsy would represent a significant advantage as a minimally invasive procedure, considering that an average of only 20% of melanoma patients with a Breslow thickness between 1.5 and 4 mm harbor metastasis in their sentinel node and are therefore candidates for elective lymph node dissection. Furthermore, histologic sampling errors (amounting to approximately 12% of lymph nodes in the conventional routine) can be reduced if one assesses a single (sentinel) node extensively rather than assessing the standard few histologic sections in a high number of lymph nodes per patient. The cells from which cutaneous melanomas originate are located between the dermis and the epidermis, a zone that drains to the inner lymphatic network in the reticular dermis and, in turn, to larger collecting lymphatics in the subcutis. Therefore, the optimal route for interstitial administration of radiocolloids for lymphoscintigraphy and subsequent radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy is intradermal or subdermal injection. (99m)Tc-Labeled colloids in various size ranges are equally adequate for radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with cutaneous melanoma, depending on local experience and availability. For melanomas along the midline of the head, neck, and trunk, particular consideration should be given to ambiguous lymphatic drainage, which frequently requires interstitial administration virtually all around the tumor or surgical scar from prior excision of the melanoma. Lymphoscintigraphy is an essential part of radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy because images are used to direct the surgeon to the sites of the nodes. The sentinel lymph node should have a significantly higher count than that of the background (at least 10:1 intraoperatively). After removal of the sentinel node, the surgical bed must be reexamined to ensure that all radioactive sites are identified and removed for analysis. Virtually the entire sentinel lymph node should be processed for histopathology, including both conventional hematoxylin-eosin staining and immune staining with antibodies to the S-100 and HMB-45 antigens. The success rate of radioguidance in localizing the sentinel lymph node in melanoma patients is approximately 98% in institutions that perform a high number of procedures and approaches 99% when combined with the vital blue-dye technique. Growing evidence of the high correlation between a sentinel lymph node biopsy negative for cancer and a negative status for the lymphatic basin-evidence, therefore, of the high prognostic value of sentinel node biopsy-has led to the procedure's being included in the most recent version of the TNM staging system and starting to become the standard of care for patients with cutaneous melanoma.     

Effectiveness of delayed 2-day lymphoscintigraphy on sentinel lymph node detection in patients with breast cancer with negative early lymphoscintigraphy

PURPOSE: Most centers perform lymphoscintigraphy for the detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN) in patients with breast cancer within 2 hours after radiotracer injection. However, the interval between the injection of the radiotracer and surgery may not be long enough. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of delayed imaging (more than 15 hours) for SLN detection in patients with negative early images. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a database of 401 patients with breast cancer referred for SLN detection. On the day before surgery, lymphoscintigrams were obtained at 30-minute intervals until SLN was detected or 120 minutes. In those patients who failed to localize SLN on the early images, delayed imaging was performed the next morning. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (6.7%) patients failed to show SLN on the early images. In the 27 patients, delayed imaging was available for 14 patients but not for 13 patients resulting from the tight time schedule for surgery. Of the 14 patients with delayed images, SLNs were successfully harvested in 10 patients (71.4%) at surgery. In contrast, in the 13 patients who lacked delayed images, SLN was only harvested in one case (7.7%) at surgery. The intraoperative detection rate for SLN was significantly higher in the 14 patients with delayed images than that in the 13 patients without delayed images. CONCLUSIONS: Two-day delayed imaging is significantly useful to increase the rate of localizing SLN at surgery in patients with a negative early image.     

Cervical lymph node metastases of unknown origin: primary tumor detection with whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography

Background: Identification of primary tumor in patients with cervical lymph node metastasis of unknown primary (MUO) has a great impact on therapy approach and potentially on patient prognosis.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of combined positron emission tomography (PET)/computer tomography (CT) for primary tumor detection in cervical metastases of unknown origin compared to PET, CT, and PET+CT side-by-side evaluation.

Material and Methods: 39 consecutive patients (eight women, 31 men; mean age 59.9±11.2 years) with MUO were enrolled in this study. PET/CT images were obtained 1 hour after injection of 350 MBq of fluorodeoxyglucose. Oral and intravenous contrast agents were administered in all patients to ensure diagnostic CT data. Fused PET/CT data were evaluated for primary tumor detection. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated and compared with CT alone, PET alone, and side-by-side PET+CT evaluation. Statistical analysis of differences in diagnostic performance between the different imaging procedures was based on the McNemar test.

Results: Fused PET/CT depicted the primary tumor in 11 of 39 (28%) patients. In 28 (72%) patients, the primary tumor remained occult. CT revealed the primary in five (13%), PET alone in 10 (26%), and side-by-side evaluation of PET+CT in 10 (26%) of 39 patients. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the imaging modalities.

Conclusion: PET, side-by-side PET+CT, and PET/CT revealed similar detection rates for primary tumors in cervical MUO patients. Therefore, cervical metastases of an unknown primary may be assessed with either of these imaging modalities. Detection rates with CT were substantially lower. Thus, inclusion of functional data for assessment of cervical MUO patients must be recommended.     

Sequential computerized tomography and positron emission tomography studies in a patient with malignant glioma

Computerized tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-18-deoxyglucose were performed in a patient with malignant glioma over a one-year period. Postoperatively and during radiation therapy, there was slight improvement in metabolic activity in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the tumor. After radiation therapy and during chemotherapy, there was a rapid and then gradual decline in whole brain metabolic rate by 39%. This might have been explained by radiation effect on brain. The tumor area was metabolically similar to the adjacent brain until one year after diagnosis, when an area of abnormal increased activity was noted. Even though CT scans showed minimal evidence of tumour growth, a large glioblastoma multiforme was found at autopsy at the site of the increased activity. Radiation leukoencephalopathy was also observed at autopsy. It is concluded that PET studies may offer new information regarding the metabolic effects of anti-tumor therapy, and may demonstrate regrowth of tumor prior to CT.     

Optimization of lymphoscintigraphy in sentinel node biopsy in the staging of malignant melanoma

PURPOSE: To optimize the lymphoscintigraphic procedure in the staging of malignant cutaneous melanoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients (21 men and 34 women) were enrolled. Breslow thickness of the lesions ranged 0.75-1 mm (Clark III-IV) to 1-4 mm. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed with a large-view gamma camera equipped with a low-energy general purpose collimator, two weeks after melanoma excision. A single perilesional dose of 30-50 MBq nanocoll-Tc99m (volume 0.2-0.3 mL) was injected 18 hours before surgery (6 hours in head localizations). After injection a gentle local massage was applied. A planar static scintigraphy (matrix 512 x 512, pre-set time 5 min) in anterior and/or oblique view(s) was obtained 5-10 min after radiotracer injection. The skin projection of the first node was stained with an external radioactive marker. Fifteen minutes before surgery a blue-vital dye was injected around the lesion. A radioguided biopsy of the sentinel node was performed. RESULTS: The site of the sentinel node was typical in 80% of patients. Two or three nodes were identified in 20% of patients. An unexpected node site was detected in 9% of patients. The total rate of micrometastasis to the sentinel node was 14.7% but significant differences were observed relative to the melanoma thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative scintigraphy increases the accuracy of sentinel node identification in unusual lymphatic drainage pathways, in unexpected sites and in fast lymphatic drainage. Radioguided biopsy reduces surgical time, requires only local anesthesia and permits shorter hospitalization.     

Evaluation of mammary lymphoscintigraphy by a single intratumoral injection for sentinel node identification.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the findings of mammary lymphoscintigraphy by a single intratumoral injection in 150 patients with breast carcinoma: 100 patients (group A) investigated in the validation phase of the study and 50 (group B) studied after the tracer dose was optimized. METHODS: Immediately after injection of 99mTc-nanocolloid using a 25-gauge needle and a 0.2-mL volume, simultaneous anterior and lateral images were acquired with a dual-head gamma camera during 20 min followed by sequential static anterior and prone lateral breast images after 30 min and after 2 and 4 h. 57Co-assisted skin marking defined the sentinel node location for subsequent gamma probe, blue dye-guided sentinel node biopsy. RESULTS: In group A (mean dose, 61.6 MBq; range, 42-88 MBq) scintigraphy revealed lymph nodes in 83 patients (83%), with an increase in the rate of visualization from 72% for the first 40 patients to 90% for the last 60; patient age (P = 0.01) and administered tracer dose (P = 0.04) were found to be significant factors for visualization, with optimal results obtained from doses higher than 65 MBq. Lymph nodes were visible in 34 patients (41%) during the first 30 min after injection, whereas in 49 patients appearance occurred at 2-4 h. A total of 97 lymphatic basins were visualized (80 axillary, 3 clavicular, 14 internal mammary). In group B (mean dose, 90.8 MBq; range, 68-124 MBq), the visualization rate was 94%, with early lymph node appearance in 27 patients (57%) and a total of 53 basins (45 axillary, 8 internal mammary). In combination with intraoperative blue dye mapping and y probing, the identification rate increased to 90% in group A and 98% in group B. Prone lateral images contributed to identification of intramammary lymph nodes in a total of 14 patients and axillary nodes close to the injection site in 8 other patients. CONCLUSION: Mammary lymphoscintigraphy by single intratumoral injection is a valid method for lymphatic mapping and identification of both axillary and nonaxillary sentinel nodes. Lymph node visualization appears to be improved with higher tracer doses. The compactness of the injection site enables high-quality additional lateral images that can depict intramammary or axillary lymph nodes adjacent to the injection site.     

口腔癌前哨淋巴结显像与术中γ探测

目的探讨淋巴显像及术中γ探测定位活组织检查口腔癌前哨淋巴结（SLN）的临床价值.方法术前在口腔肿瘤表面正中黏膜内（舌癌于肿瘤远心端边缘）注射37～74 MBq ^99Tc^m-右旋糖酐（DX）,行淋巴显像及术中γ探测定位口腔癌SLN,术中切除SLN,并行常规颈淋巴结清扫术.将切除的口腔肿瘤及淋巴结行病理检查,分析SLN和远端淋巴结转移的关系.结果33例患者口腔癌SLN及淋巴引流显像清晰,共检出SLN 43枚,其中1枚者25例,2枚者6例,3枚者2例.SLN病理检查结果有转移者9例,颈清扫淋巴结转移者共11例,2例SLN阴性而远处淋巴结转移,1例仅有SLN转移.口腔癌SLN γ探测定位检出率100%.SLN活组织病理检查灵敏度为81.82%（9/11例）,准确性为93.94%,假阴性率为18.18%（2/11例）,假阳性率为0.结论淋巴显像是定位口腔癌SLN的基础,术中γ探测是定位口腔癌SLN的可靠手段.     

Technical aspects of sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy for breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: A significant morbidity risk is associated with axillary nodal dissections for breast cancer. Many treatment decisions are based on axillary nodal status. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy have been investigated to determine if the histology of the sentinel node reflects the remaining lymph node basin. We describe the technical aspects of sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy for breast cancer. METHODS: Ninety-three patients had lymphoscintigraphy for breast cancer. Patients with palpable lesions had 4 concentric injections around the site and lesions requiring localization had injections made through tubing connected to the localizing wire introducer needle. Immediate static images were acquired and the sentinel node was marked for surgery. Marks were reverified using a handheld gamma probe. RESULTS: Lymph nodes were visualized by lymphoscintigraphy in 87% of cases. Time to visualization of lymph nodes ranged from 1-120 min with a mean of 28 min. An average of 1.5 nodes were visualized. The overall success rate for identifying the sentinel node at time of surgery was 85%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that lymphoscintigraphy for breast cancer is a detailed procedure that requires coordination with radiology and surgery teams to ensure proper identification of sentinel lymph nodes.     

Detection of internal mammary lymph node metastasis with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with stage III breast cancer

Purpose

The present study assessed the positive predictive value (PPV) of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the detection of internal mammary node (IMN) metastasis in patients with clinical stage III breast cancer.

Methods

Patients who were diagnosed with clinical stage III breast cancer and underwent pretreatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively analyzed. The ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans were prospectively reviewed by two board-certified nuclear medicine physicians in a blinded manner. The intensities of IMNs were graded into four categories (no activity and lower, similar, and higher activities than that of the mediastinal blood pool). IMNs were measured from the combined CT (largest diameter of the short axis). Histologic data of the IMNs were obtained by ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy or surgical excision. The PPV was calculated for pathologically confirmed IMNs. Visual grade, maximum standardized uptake values (SUV_max), and sizes were analyzed according to the pathology results.

Results

There were 249 clinical stage III breast cancer patients (age 48.0?±?10.1 years, range 26–79 years) who had undergone initial ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT prior to treatment. Excluding 33 cases of stage IV breast cancer, 62 of 216 patients had visible IMNs on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, and histologic confirmation was obtained in 31 patients. There were 27 metastatic and four nonmetastatic nodes (PPV 87.1 %). Metastatic nodes mostly presented with visual grade 3 (83.9 %), and SUV_max and size were 3.5?±?4.3 and 5.6?±?2.0 mm, respectively.

Conclusion

¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT has a high PPV for IMN metastasis in clinical stage III breast cancer, indicating the possibility of metastasis in IMNs with FDG uptake similar to/lower than that of the blood pool or small-sized nodes.