前哨淋巴结阳性乳腺癌患者腋窝转移危险因素的研究

目的研究前哨淋巴结（sentinellymphnode,SLN）阳性乳腺癌患者腋窝非前哨淋巴结（NSI-N）转移的危险因素,验证纪念斯隆一凯特琳癌症中心（MSKCC）腋窝NSLN转移预测模型评估乳腺癌患者的临床应用价值。方法回顾性地分析军事医学科学院附属医院普外科2000年,11月至2011年3月175例成功行SLN活检且结果阳性、随即行腋窝淋巴结清扫的乳腺癌患者临床病理资料,使用MSKCC预测模型计算每例患者腋窝NSLN转移风险,利用校正曲线和受试者操作特性曲线（ROC）下面积（AUC）评估该模型预测的准确性。结果原发肿瘤大小、肿瘤是否多发、阳性SLN数、阳性SLN转移率、阴性SLN数与腋窝NSLN转移相关,P值分别为0．0018、0．0029、0．0049、0．0007、0．0002。多因素Logistic回归分析发现,原发肿瘤大小、肿瘤是否多发和阳性SI．N数是NSI．N转移的独立危险因素,P值分别为0．0022、0．0160、0．0176。校正曲线显示预测值曲线和真实值曲线趋势相近,MSKCC预测模型被验证的AUC值为0．79。结论对于SLN转移阳性的乳腺癌患者,原发肿瘤越小、肿瘤单发、阳性SLN数越少、阴性SLN数越多、阳性SLN转移率越低,其腋窝NSLN转移可能性越低,可对是否行腋窝淋巴结清扣提供参考。MSKCC预测模型可较准确地预测腋窝NSI．N的转移风险。     

乳腺癌保乳手术联合哨兵淋巴结活检术临床疗效观察

目的观察乳腺癌保乳手术及哨兵淋巴结活检的临床疗效。方法 62例临床确诊的早期乳腺癌患者,均行区段切除及哨兵淋巴结活检手术,其中10例哨兵淋巴结阳性者加腋淋巴结清扫术,术后行根治性放疗,并根据临床评价38例行辅助化疗,36例内分泌治疗。结果术后随访24～106个月,中位随访53个月,1例3年内复发,2例5年内复发,局部复发率4.8%。复发者均改行乳腺癌改良根治术。结论对于临床早期乳腺癌患者,保留乳房及哨兵淋巴结活检术可行,术后辅以放疗、化疗及内分泌治疗能够获得满意效果。     

临床颈淋巴转移阴性口腔鳞癌的前哨淋巴结研究

目的探讨前哨淋巴结活检术(SLNB)在口腔鳞癌治疗中的的预测价值。方法口腔鳞癌患者20例,使用亚甲蓝染色法对前哨淋巴结进行染色识别。结果SLNB成功率为70％。SLNB对颈淋巴结微转移的检测准确率为100G。前哨淋巴结(SLN)每例平均2．4枚。14例患者中有6例存在颈部淋巴转移,其中5例仅转移至SLN,1例SLN和非SLN均有转移。结论SLNB能准确预测口腔鳞癌颈淋巴结转移情况,为SLNB阴性的口腔鳞癌患者避免颈淋巴清扫术提供了诊断依据。     

核医学在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检术中的方法学研究现状

乳腺癌是女性最常见的恶性肿瘤之一,腋窝淋巴结清扫术一直被认为是乳腺癌外科治疗中最基本的手术方法。近年来发展起来的前哨淋巴结活检术因既能避免腋窝淋巴结清扫术引起的并发症,又能对乳腺癌进行准确地分期,具有操作简单、安全、准确率高、创伤小等优点,从而逐渐被国内外认可,已代替腋窝淋巴结清扫术成为治疗腋下淋巴结阴性患者的主要方法。在前哨淋巴结活检术中,核医学检查起了至关重要的作用,其中,放射性显像剂、注射技术、探测技术以及探测标准对乳腺癌腋下淋巴结和内乳淋巴结检测的准确率和假阴性率有着重要的影响,该文对近年来国内外关于核医学在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检术中的方法学研究现状进行综述。     

CT-based evaluation of axillary sentinel lymph node status in breast cancer: value of added contrast-enhanced study

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic reliability of CT-based sentinel lymph node (SLN) size criteria for selecting the candidates for direct axillary dissection without SLN biopsy and to determine the value of added contrast-enhanced study. Material and Methods: Breast cancer patients (n=107) underwent triple phasic (1-min, 3-min, 8-min) contrast-enhanced 5 mm-computed tomography (CT) of the breasts and axillae. In the CT image, the most inferior lymph node in the axilla was designated the SLN. Axillary status was judged based on SLN size criteria. CT density, enhancement rate, and peak enhancement time of each SLN were correlated with histopathological results. Results: SLN size criteria demonstrated a sensitivity of 76% and a positive predictive value of 95% in predicting SLN metastasis. The density values at each scanning time-point were significantly different for metastatic and non-metastatic SLN. However, their enhancement rates differed significantly only at 1 min. Their peak enhancement occurred primarily at 1 min. The use of contrast-enhancement criteria improved the predictive sensitivity, but failed to decrease the false-positive rate of the SLN size criteria. Conclusion: The enhancement rate at 1 min proved to be the most useful parameter in contrast-enhanced CT studies; however, it failed in improving the accuracy of the SLN size criteria.     

前哨淋巴结阳性乳腺癌腋窝淋巴清扫与保留上肢回流淋巴结清扫对照研究

目的对照研究2枚以下前哨淋巴结阳性的患者,施行常规腋淋巴结清扫和保留上肢回流腋淋巴结清扫应用新的腋下组分区法时,转移淋巴结的分布规律,及其对腋窝功能、术后恢复时间的影响。方法选取60例2枚以下阳性前哨淋巴结的患者,随机分成施行常规腋淋巴结清扫组(清扫组)和保留上肢回流腋淋巴结清扫组(保留组),每组各30例。术后将胸小肌外侧淋巴结按分区标准分成A、B、C、D四区,研究两组各区检出转移淋巴结的个数及分布规律,统计两组术后腋窝功能和出院时间,并进行分析。结果清扫组8例患者检出阳性淋巴结15枚,D区(上肢淋巴回流)未检出阳性淋巴结。保留组7例患者检出阳性淋巴结16枚,两组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组术后腋窝功能恢复及住院天数比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对于2枚以下前哨淋巴结阳性患者施行保留上肢回流腋淋巴结清扫,安全性等同常规腋淋巴结清扫,同时会较大程度保留腋窝功能和缩短术后恢复时间。     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检技术的临床应用

目的:探讨前哨淋巴结活检(Sentinel lymph node biopsy,SLNB)在乳腺癌外科中的应用,并评价其准确性及可行性.方法:对2002-01～2004-01我院收治的161例Ⅰ、Ⅱ期乳腺癌病例,在常规行乳腺癌手术前均进行SLNB,即肿瘤局部皮内联合注射99mTc-DX及美蓝,根据核素示踪及美蓝染色结果寻找SLN并摘除,行冰冻病理检查.将SLNB结果与术后腋窝淋巴结病理结果进行分析.结果:161例中149例发现SLN,检出率为92.5%(149/161);共检出SLN273个,平均1.83个/例.比较SLNB与术后病理结果,SLNB检出灵敏度为96.1%(49/51),准确性98.7%(147/149),假阴性率3.9%(2/51),假阳性率0。结论:SLN可比较准确地反映腋窝淋巴结状况,SLNB是乳腺癌治疗中的实用技术.     

吲哚菁绿在乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活检中的应用观察

目的 探讨吲哚菁绿(ICG)单独应用于乳腺癌前哨淋巴结(SLN)活检的临床应用前景.方法 选择2014年7-12月接受手术的72例女性乳腺癌患者,年龄33～67岁,中位年龄50岁,随机分为实验组(n=35)和对照组(n=37),分别以ICG和亚甲蓝作为示踪剂实施SLN活检.手术切除标本送快速冰冻病理检测,证实存在SLN转移者,行腋窝淋巴结清扫,SLN阴性者不行腋窝淋巴结清扫.结果 ICG法检出率为94.3％,成功检出SLN 111个,平均每例检出3.2个SLN,准确率94.3％,灵敏度100％,假阴性率0％;亚甲蓝法检出率为91.9％,成功检出SLN 78个,平均每例检出2.1个SLN,准确率89.2％,灵敏度92.9％,假阴性率为7.7％.两组平均检出个数和假阴性率差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),检出率、准确率、灵敏度差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 采用ICG法进行SLN活检成功率高,假阴性率低,临床效果优于亚甲蓝法,有望单独应用于乳腺癌SLN活检.     

Assessment of the solid-state gamma camera to depict axillary sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer patients

PURPOSE: The solid-state gamma camera is now commercially available offering the advantages of a compact and portable system, currently used mainly in the cardiac region. We evaluate the ability of the solid-state gamma camera to depict axillary sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative SLN lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) was performed in 19 patients with breast cancer using the solid-state gamma camera. Immediately thereafter, we performed a second LSG using a single detector Anger-type gamma camera, and compared the findings from the two cameras. RESULTS: Concordant results were obtained in 12 (63%) patients with both cameras. In 4 (21%) patients, axillary SLNs were correctly identified only with the solid-state gamma camera. In these patients, the distance between the SLN and the radiopharmaceutical injection site was closer than that of patients who had concordant results (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: We can depict correctly axillary SLNs with the solid-state gamma camera in comparison with the Anger-type gamma camera. This technique would be useful for assessing SLNs in breast cancer patients.     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结CT淋巴管造影的可行性分析

目的 初步评价CT淋巴管造影(LG)显示早期乳腺癌前哨淋巴结(SLN)的可行性.方法 选取25例穿刺证实且腋窝触诊为阴性的乳腺癌患者行CT-LG检查.自注射部位指向腋窝方向的引流淋巴管上最先显像的1个或数个淋巴结为SLN,与前哨淋巴结活检(SLNB)结果相对照,数目相等者为符合,多于和少于分别为高估和低估.显像质量根据容积重组后有无淋巴管显像分为Ⅰ和Ⅱ级;并以体质量指数(BMI)≥25时为肥胖.对所得结果行Fisher精确检验.结果 (1)25例患者中,5例有局部切除手术史;BMI＜25者20例,≥25者5例.(2)25例患者CT-LG均见SLN显像,其中84.0%(21例)患者图像质量为Ⅰ级,16.0%(4例)为Ⅱ级.肥胖患者CT-LG显像质量较差,两者差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).(3)25例患者共显示56枚SLN和45条淋巴管.与SLNB对照,36.0%(9例)患者两种结果符合,而高估和低估者分别为28.0%(7例)和36.0%(9例).造成两种结果不一致的原因主要与肥胖因素和局部切除手术有关,两者差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).(4)SLNB证实18例(52枚)阴性SLN,7例(15枚)阳性SLN,对应CT-LG共56枚SLN显像,其中阴性43枚,阳性13枚.形状为圆形在阴性和阳性SLN的比例分别为32.6%(14/43)和76.9%(10/13),二者差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).中央区出现充盈缺损在阴性和阳性SLN中的比例分别为9.3%(4/43)和23.1%(3/13),但边缘区表现为不规则充盈缺损只在30.8%(4/13)的阳性SLN中出现.3枚(2例)SLN周围伴有多发小淋巴结,组织学显示有癌细胞浸润.结论 CT-LG可有效显示乳腺癌的SLN,但其准确性易受患者肥胖因素及患侧乳房手术的影响.SLN为圆形,边缘出现虫蚀样充盈缺损,以及伴有多发小淋巴结者均可提示痛细胞浸润.     

超声多参数回归模型评估乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移的价值

目的：建立以乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结超声诊断特征为变量的Logistic回归模型,评价常规超声及实时弹性成像技术对乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结有无转移鉴别诊断的价值。方法对病理证实的112例乳腺癌患者的113个腋窝淋巴结的常规超声及弹性成像各因素进行综合分析,建立二分类Logistic回归模型,通过绘制ROC曲线评价模型的诊断效能。结果在纳入的113个淋巴结中,术后病理证实28个无转移,85个有转移。经过前进法Logistic回归分析,筛选出弹性应变率比值（ SR）、弹性评分及形态等3个指标对乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移诊断有统计学意义的特征变量。 Logistic回归模型对乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移预报的正确率为93．8％, ROC曲线下面积为0．962。结论二分类Logistic回归模型对腋窝淋巴结性质有较好的诊断效能,弹性成像提高了常规超声诊断腋窝淋巴结的准确度。     

国人乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移相关超声征象的Meta分析

目的:对国人乳腺癌腋窝淋巴结转移的超声图像相关因素行Meta分析.方法:计算机检索PubMed、Embase、Cochrane图书馆、中国知网、万方数据库、维普网、中国生物医学文献数据库、Web of Science,检索词为"乳腺肿瘤""淋巴转移""前哨淋巴结""超声"和"危险因素"的中英文文献,选取国人病例文献.结...     

MR间质淋巴造影显示乳腺癌前哨淋巴结初步研究

目的 探讨MR间质淋巴造影显示乳腺癌前哨淋巴结(SLN)的价值.方法 收集58例浸润性乳腺癌患者,用15 mL Gd-DTPA对比剂与2 mL 2%利多卡因配制对比剂混合液,按0.5 mL/人的剂量行乳晕外侧皮下注射,然后采用西门子3.0T Magnetom Trio MRI扫描仪体积插值屏气检查序列动态扫描,在最大密度投影(MIP)图像上追踪引流淋巴管并确定SLN,用胶囊标记的方法进行体表定位,将此标记的淋巴结定义为M-SLN.术中采用美兰示踪的方法,进行前哨淋巴结活检(SLNB)及切除,将美兰染色的淋巴结定义为D-SLN.对MR间质淋巴造影与美兰显示SLN的数目行配对样本比较的秩和检验,并采用Spearman等级相关分析两者的相关性.评估MR间质淋巴造影诊断M-SLN的敏感度,特异度,准确率.结果 MR间质淋巴造影共显示75枚M-SLN,平均(1.60±0.52)枚,在体表胶囊的标记下均在手术中成功获得.术中美兰为示踪剂显示91枚D-SLN,平均(1.94±0.63)枚,显著多于MR间质淋巴造影,但两者存在强相关性(Spearman等级相关系数0.69,P<0.001).MR间质淋巴造影诊断D-SLN转移的敏感度95.8%,特异度88.9%,准确率93.3%.结论 MR间质淋巴造影可以准确寻找诊断乳腺癌SLN并引导活检,具有较好的临床运用价值.     

乳癌哨兵淋巴结检测临床应用

目的：探讨乳癌哨兵淋巴结活检预测腋窝淋巴结转移状态的可靠性.方法：本组为2000年11月至2004年2月我院收治的140例乳癌患者.术中应用国产亚甲蓝注射液4～6 ml肿瘤上、外、下半圆形皮下连续注射,134例行乳癌改良根治术或患侧乳腺区段切除加腋窝淋巴结清扫术.术后解剖蓝染淋巴管,沿着色淋巴管找到蓝染的哨兵淋巴结.哨兵淋巴结及腋窝淋巴结常规行石蜡病理切片检查.5例行乳腺区段切除加哨兵淋巴结活检,1例行全乳切除加哨兵淋巴结活检（冰冻、石蜡病理检查SLN转移阴性）,未行全腋窝淋巴结清扫.结果：140例患者中136例检出哨兵淋巴结,检出率97.14%,灵敏度 88.71%,准确率94.31%,阴性预测值89.71%,假阴性率11.29%,仅哨兵淋巴结阳性7例.结论：应用亚甲蓝注射液淋巴结着色方法行乳癌哨兵淋巴结活检可以准确地预测腋窝淋巴结转移状态.     

基于SPECT/CT同机融合显像内乳前哨淋巴结分布探讨内乳淋巴引流区照射的靶区范围

目的 基于SPECT/CT同机融合显像的内乳前哨淋巴结（IM-SLN）位置分布,探讨内乳淋巴结（IMLN）引流区预防性照射的靶区范围。方法 回顾性选取2014-2018年709例初诊为乳腺癌并在术前对IM-SLN进行了SPECT/CT前哨淋巴结显像检查的患者,其中97例患者IM-SLN显像阳性,显像的IM-SLN总数为136枚。依据放射治疗肿瘤协作组（RTOG）和丹麦乳腺癌合作小组（DBCG）指南勾画IMLN临床靶区（CTV）,分别定义为CTV_RTOG和CTV_DBCG,确定CTV_RTOG及CTV_DBCG与IM-SLN的位置关系。结果 位于第1~5肋间的IM-SLN个数分别为55、41、33、6和1枚,第1~3肋间IM-SLN数占总数的94.9%。CTV_RTOG边缘到IM-SLN中心点及5 mm直径IM-SLN外侧缘的平均距离分别为4.10 mm（95%CI 3.54~4.65 mm）和6.40 mm（95%CI 5.81~6.98 mm）,两者比较差异有统计学意义（t=-30.486,P<0.05）,而CTV_DBCG到两者的平均距离分别为1.60 mm（95%CI 1.16~2.05 mm）和3.34 mm（95%CI 2.78~3.89 mm）,两者比较差异有统计学意义（t=-16.364,P<0.05）。CTV_RTOG边缘到IM-SLN中心点及5 mm直径IM-SLN外侧缘的平均距离均明显大于CTV_DBCG（t=16.640、19.815,P<0.05）。CTV_RTOG、CTV_DBCG分别可覆盖18.4%、60.3%的IM-SLN中心点。覆盖90%及100%的IM-SLN中心点时,CTV_RTOG需外扩8和15 mm,而CTV_DBCG需外扩5和13 mm。设定IM-SLN的直径为5 mm时,覆盖90%及100%的IM-SLN时,CTV_RTOG需外扩11和17 mm,而CTV_DBCG需外扩7和16 mm。结论 基于SPECT/CT显像图像上IM-SLN的分布,内乳淋巴结预防性照射靶区范围包括第1~3肋间是合理的;无论基于RTOG还是DBCG指南所勾画内乳靶区均不足以覆盖90%的IM-SLN。     

Lymphatic mapping and retrieval of the sentinel lymph node in treatment of early breast cancer

Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy is an important step to surgical individualization of breast cancer therapy. With lymphatic mapping and minimally invasive biopsy of one or two detected lymph nodes the method provides an exact evaluation of the nodal status. Using sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), costs and morbidity of an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be avoided in nodal negative patients, whereas nodal positive patients are chosen for ALND very selectively according to the detection of an increased percentage of micrometastases. While experienced centers are introducing this method into clinical practice for the benefit of patients with early-stage breast cancer in Europe, further research should focus on quality control, definition of standards considering the individual needs of the individual patient, and the evaluation of the impact of micrometastases. This article gives an overview of the current knowledge of SLNB and discusses critically current indications and methods as well as application techniques.     

Sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer

In breast cancer, sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has replaced diagnostic axillary clearance (AC) in nodal staging in numerous breast surgery units all over the world. However, there is no international standard in imaging, harvesting, and histological examination of the sentinel nodes. SNB has been validated in nodal staging of small, unifocal, clinically axillary-node-negative tumors, with a false-negative rate of approximately 5% of all axillary-node-positive cases. Despite the false-negative results, the method is assumed to provide accurate nodal staging, revealing metastases that remain undetected in AC. Furthermore, clinically overt axillary metastases have been rare when omitting AC relying on tumor-negative sentinel node findings, at least during a short follow-up. SNB is associated with faster recovery and less long-term morbidity than AC. Although the results of the large randomized trials have still to come, SNB has become the standard of care in early breast cancer.     

Impact of axillary nodal metastases on lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node identification rate in patients with early stage breast cancer

Purpose The aim of this study was to define the impact of the presence of axillary nodal metastases on lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification rate in patients with early breast cancer.Methods Two hundred and forty-six lymphatic mapping procedures were performed with both labelled nanocolloid and blue dye, followed by SLN biopsy and/or complete axillary dissection. The following parameters were recorded: patients age, tumour laterality and location, tumour size, tumour histology, tumour stage, tumour grade, lymphovascular invasion, radiotracer injection site (subdermal–peritumoural/peri-areolar), SLN visualisation at lymphoscintigraphy, SLN metastases (presence/absence, size) and other axillary metastases (presence/absence, number). Discriminant analysis was used to analyse the data.Results SLNs were identified by labelled nanocolloid alone in 94.7% of tumours, by blue dye alone in 93.5% and by the combined technique in 99.2%. Discriminant analysis showed the gamma probe SLN identification rate to be significantly limited by the presence of axillary nodal metastases. In particular, the size of SLN metastases and the number of other axillary metastases were the most important variables in reducing the gamma probe SLN identification rate (p=0.004 and p=0.002, respectively). On the other hand, high tumour grade was the only parameter limiting the blue dye SLN identification rate.Conclusion The accuracy of lymphatic mapping with labelled nanocolloid is limited by the presence of axillary nodal metastases, and particularly by the degree of SLN tumoural invasion and the presence and number of other axillary nodal metastases. Neither of these elements seems to interfere with the blue dye identification rate. The combination of the two tracers maximises the SLN identification rate.     

超声综合检查和99Tc^m-硫胶体检测对乳腺癌前哨淋巴结的价值比较

目的探讨超声综合检查,包括经皮超声造影(CEUS)和常规超声检查,或99Tc^m-硫胶体前哨淋巴结检测对乳腺癌前哨淋巴结(SLN)的诊断价值比较。方法选取本院进行乳腺癌检查的患者120例为研究对象。患者均行常规超声、CEUS、99Tc^m-硫胶体前哨淋巴结检测,并以手术病理结果为标准,以ROC曲线分析常规超声、CEUS、99Tc^m-硫胶体前哨淋巴结检测对乳腺癌前哨淋巴结的诊断价值。结果120例乳腺癌患者中,经病理学诊断共检出168个淋巴结,其中转移性62个,非转移性106个。且以病理检查为标准,常规超声检查对乳腺癌前哨淋巴结转移的敏感度为69.4%,特异度为95.3%;CEUS检查的敏感度为83.9%,特异度为97.2%;99Tc^m-硫胶体检查的敏感度为88.7%,特异度为98.1%;三者联合检查的敏感度为93.5%,特异度为99.1%。另ROC曲线分析显示,常规超声、CEUS及99Tc^m-硫胶体检查及三者联合诊断的乳腺癌前哨淋巴结转移的AUC为0.823、0.905、0.934、0.963,联合诊断价值更高。结论CEUS、99Tc^m-硫胶体前哨淋巴结检测对乳腺癌前哨淋巴结的诊断价值均高于常规超声,且三者联合诊断敏感度、特异性更高。     

Elastography in the assessment of sentinel lymph nodes prior to dissection

Objective

Breast cancer starts as a local tumor but can become metastatic and spread via the lymph nodes. When the pre-operative assessment of the axillary lymph nodes is negative patients generally undergo sentinel node biopsy (SNB), followed by a secondary surgical axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) if the SNB is positive. The extemporaneous anatomo-pathological analysis of the sentinel lymph node enables metastases to be detected and an ALND at the same time of the SNB. The goal of this study was to evaluate the added value of ShearWave Elastography (SWE), compared with the conventional pre-operative assessment, in the screening of sentinel lymph nodes with a high metastatic risk, which could then benefit from an extemporaneous anatomo-pathological analysis.

Patients and methods

Women undergoing breast surgery with SNB were prospectively enrolled. Before surgery, they underwent ultrasound and elastography imaging of axillary lymph nodes using the SuperSonic Imagine device and its ShearWave™ elastography mode (SWE™). The results obtained were compared to the immunohistochemical results for the removed lymph nodes.

Results

65 patients were enrolled. From the 103 lymph nodes examined by elastography and the 185 lymph nodes removed we were able to pair 81; 70 were healthy and 11 were malignant. The stiffness measurements (mean and maximal values) were significantly different between the healthy and metastatic lymph nodes, (p < 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves were 0.76 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58–0.94) and 0.75 (95%CI: 0.55–0.95) for the mean and the maximal stiffness, respectively.

Conclusion

These encouraging results show a correlation between the metastatic risk of lymph nodes and their increased mean stiffness. Elasticity variables and potential thresholds that seem to predict the metastatic status of axillary lymph nodes were identified. If confirmed by further larger studies, these results could be useful in clinical practice for the identification of lymph nodes at high metastatic risk that could benefit from a intra-operative analysis to reduce the number of secondary surgical procedures.