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。     

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.     

应用γ探测仪探测乳腺癌前哨淋巴结的临床价值

目的 探讨应用γ探测仪探测乳腺癌前哨淋巴结活组织检查（SLNB）的临床价值。方法 53例乳腺癌患者，在肿块或活组织检查腔周围的乳腺实质内注射^99Tc^m－硫胶体，应用γ探测仪术中定位切除放射性浓聚的前哨淋巴结（SLN），再行腋窝淋巴结清扫（ALND）。SLN与腋窝淋巴结（ALN）同时行HE和免疫组织化学（IHC）检测，以及用逆转录多聚酶链反应（RT－PCR）检测CK19 mRNA的表达，观察SLN的检出率和用SLN预测ALN转移的准确性，评价SLN阴性的早期乳腺癌患者用SLNB代替ALND的可行性。结果 SLN检出灵敏度为91％（48／53例），共检出SLN91枚，平均1．9枚。SLN预测ALN转移准确性为100％，阳性预测值为0。结论 术中用γ探测仪进行乳腺癌SLNB是可行的，SLN可预测腋窝其余淋巴结的转移情况，并可作为早期乳癌患者用SLNB代替ALND的可靠指标。     

467例乳腺癌患者^99Tc^m-利妥昔单抗前哨淋巴结显像结果分析

目的探讨应用前哨淋巴结（SLN）显像剂^99Tc^m-利妥昔单克隆抗体（简称利妥昔单抗,美罗华）进行乳腺癌SLN活组织检查（SLNB）的可行性与可靠性,以及不同因素对SLN显像及SLNB的影响。方法467例乳腺癌患者在超声引导下于乳腺肿块周围及肿块表面皮下注射^99Tc^m-利妥昔单抗后行SLN显像。术中凭显像结果行腋窝区SLNB,将切取的SLN行常规HE染色及免疫组织化学检查。结果SLN显像成功率99．14％（463／467）,共显示SLN837枚,人均1．79枚（837／467）,分布于腋窝区、内乳区、乳腺组织内及锁骨下区。腋窝区SLNB成功率99．57％（465／467）,手术共探测到SLN1182枚,人均2．53枚。病理检查发现腋窝SLN有转移者131例,转移SLN194枚。其中1例单纯由免疫组织化学法发现微小转移灶。患者年龄、显像时间、病理类型、临床分期、显像前是否行乳腺肿块手术切取活组织检查对SLN显影率、SLNB成功率及SLN转移率均无影响。不同病理类型及临床分期的患者其SLN转移率的差异有统计学意义（χ^2=14．134,29．184,P均〈0．05）。结论应用^99Tc^m-利妥昔单抗行乳腺癌SLN显像及SLNB成功率较高,具有较好的临床应用前景。     

口腔鳞癌前哨淋巴结微转移的临床研究

目的 评估7探测仪检测口腔鳞癌前哨淋巴结(SLN)活检的可行性和预测能力，并确定前哨淋巴结的病理结果是否能正确反映整个颈部淋巴结的状态。方法 在20例口腔鳞癌患者瘤体周围的口腔黏膜下正常组织内注射^99mTc标记的右旋糖酐，应用7探测仪术中定位放射性浓聚的SLN再行根治性颈淋巴清扫，SLN的病理与其余颈清扫组织病理进行比较。结果 SLN检出灵敏度为93％(16／20)，6例患者证实有颈淋巴结隐匿转移，5例SLN是惟一肿瘤转移的淋巴结，1例SLN和非SLN都有隐匿转移，SLN预测颈淋巴结转移的准确性为100%(6／6)。结论 应用γ探测仪术中定位口腔鳞癌的SLN是可行的，SLN可以预测口腔鳞癌患者颈部淋巴结的转移情况，有可能减少淋巴结转移阴性(CN0)患者颈清的数量。     

SPECT-CT探测喉癌前哨淋巴结

目的 评价SPECT-CT淋巴显像探测喉癌患者前哨淋巴结(SLN)的价值。方法 30例临床N0期喉癌患者,术前于喉镜引导下注射99Tcm-硫胶体(SC),使用SPECT-CT进行SLN显像;同时,术中用γ探测仪探测放射性"热点"。将手术切除的SLN及颈清扫标本行病理检查。结果 全组30例检出SLN28例,检出率为93.3%。术前平面显像、SPECT-CT分别检出61个和66个SLN。术中用手持式γ探测仪有27例患者探测到SLN,共计70个,检出率为90.0%(27/30)。γ探测仪探测SLN数目与SPECT-CT淋巴显像数目有4例不一致,24例符合,其符合率为85.7%(24/28)。病理结果显示,6例患者有淋巴结转移,占20.0%。SLN检测的灵敏度、特异度、准确率和假阴性率分别为83.3%、95.8%、93.3%和16.7%。结论 术前SPECT-CT淋巴显像能有效探测喉癌患者的SLN,准确预测颈部淋巴结转移情况。     

前哨淋巴结核素-染料联合检测术在早期宫颈癌中的应用

目的探讨用前哨淋巴结（SLN）核素-染料联合检测术检出早期宫颈癌的可行性及其应用价值。方法选择2005年3月-2006年4月本院收治的50例按国际妇产科学联盟（FIGO,1994年）标准诊断为Ⅰb-Ⅱa期宫颈癌患者,于肿瘤旁3点钟和9点钟位置各对称注射^99Tc^m-硫胶体148 MBq（4×10^-4L）后15～60min行SLN显像;术中用1探测器探测“热点”淋巴结,并于瘤旁3点钟和9点钟位置注射亚甲蓝2～4ml,记录蓝染淋巴结和“热点”淋巴结数目和部位,再行广泛子宫切除和盆腔淋巴结清扫术及淋巴结病理检查,分析SLN检出率、病理检查结果及与非SLN（NSLN）的关系等。采用SPSS 13.0软件进行统计学处理。结果50例患者核素-染料联合法SLN检出率96．0％（48／50）,核素法SLN检出率92．0％（46／50）,染料法检出率70．0％（35／50）,后两者差异有统计学意义（χ^2=4．92,P〈0．05）。核素法中有37例显像结果与术中γ探测结果一致,符合率为74．0％（37／50）。48例核素-染料联合法检出SLN的患者中,有11例（22．9％）SLN病理检查常规HE染色显示转移,余37例中有1例SLN未显示转移而NSLN显示转移。2例未检出SLN患者中,有1例出现NSLN转移,联合法对SLN探测准确性为97．9％（47／48）,假阴性1例,阴性预测值为97．3％（36／37）。共159枚SLN中,分布于闭孔淋巴结115枚（72．3％）,髂内淋巴结8枚（5．0％）,髂外淋巴结19枚（12．0％）,髂总淋巴结11枚（6．9％）,宫旁淋巴结6枚（3．8％）,左侧SLN总数（90枚）多于右侧（69枚）,且差异有统计学意义（χ^2=5．06,P=0．021）。结论核素-染料联合法检测早期宫颈癌SLN是可行的,且其在预测盆腔淋巴结有无转移等方面具有一定的应用价值。     

用颈淋巴显像检测N0期口腔癌患者颈前哨淋巴结

目的评价颈淋巴显像检测口腔癌患者前哨淋巴结(SLN)的价值。方法21例临床N0期口腔癌患者术前行颈淋巴显像与术中蓝染法检测SLN，结果与组织学检查比较。结果①淋巴显像检测SLN的灵敏度为100％(21／21例)，蓝染法为85％(17／20例)。②SLN活组织检查和颈淋巴结清扫术均证实33．3％(7／21例)患者有颈淋巴结转移，准确性100％；活组织检查阴性者14例，颈淋巴结清扫术亦为阴性，特异性100％。结论淋巴显像能有效检测口腔癌患者的SLN，准确预测颈淋巴结转移情况。     

SPECT/CT在cN0期甲状腺乳头状癌前哨淋巴结定位中的应用价值

目的 评价SPECT/CT淋巴显像检测cN0期甲状腺乳头状癌（PTC）患者前哨淋巴结（SLN）的价值。 方法 选取2017年4月至11月在山西医科大学第一医院住院的16例淋巴结阴性（cN0）期PTC患者,其中男性2例、女性14例,年龄（47.0±8.4）岁,于手术前行99Tcm-硫体胶（99Tcm-SC）平面显像和SPECT/CT显像检测SLN。手术中使用γ探测仪探测放射性“热点”。将手术切除的SLN及颈部清扫标本进行病理学检查。 结果 16例患者术前 99Tcm-SC平面显像检出SLN 14例,检出率为87.50% （14/16）。术前99Tcm-SC平面显像、SPECT/CT显像分别检出31枚和35枚SLN。术中γ探测仪探测到SLN 13例,共计37枚,检出率为81.25% （13/16）。γ探测仪探测SLN数目与SPECT/CT淋巴显像数目有4例不一致,12例一致,两种方法的一致率为75% （12/16）。病理结果显示,15例患者有淋巴结转移,占93.75% （15/16）。SPECT/CT检测SLN的灵敏度为86.67% （13/15）、准确率为81.25% （13/16）、假阴性率为13.33% （2/15）。 结论 术前SPECT/CT淋巴显像能有效探测cN0期PTC患者的SLN,准确预测颈部淋巴结的转移情况。     

乳腔镜下应用核素联合染料示踪法对新辅助化疗后乳腺癌患者行前哨淋巴结活检的研究(附41例报告)

目的 在乳腔镜下采用核素联合染料示踪法对新辅助化疗后的乳腺癌患者行前哨淋巴结活检(SLNB),探讨通过前哨淋巴结(SLN)对腋窝淋巴结内癌细胞转移情况进行预测的可行性.方法 选择行新辅助化疗2～4个疗程后的乳腺癌患者41例,术前15～18h在肿块或活检腔周围分4点注射~(99)Tc~m标记的硫胶体0.5～1.0mCi(1Ci=3.7×10~(10)Bq),术中在同样部化皮下注射美蓝4～6ml.使用γ探测仪在存在高放射活性的部位进行体表定位,腋窝注射溶脂剂,吸脂后,乳腔镜下行SLNB,然后行腋窝淋巴结清扫.将检出的淋巴结制成石蜡切片行常规病理检查,将结果显示有癌细胞转移的淋巴结确定为转移阳性;对病理检查显示为转移阴性的SLN进一步采用免疫组化法检测CK19的表达.计算采用SLN进行预测的准确率、敏感性、特异性、假阴性率和假阳性率.结果 41例患者中,39例患者(95.12%)检出SLN,共126枚,每例平均3.07(1～5)枚.病理检查显示,18例患者的SLN转移阳性(均为真阳性),21例SLN转移阴性(其中20例为真阴性,1例为假阴性).SLN对腋窝淋巴结内癌细胞转移情况的预测准确性为97.43%,敏感性为94.74%,特异性100%,假阴性率为5.26%,假阳性率0%.免疫组化法检测显示,1例病理检查显示转移阴性的SLN内CK19表达阳性.所有患者均对SLNB术后的美容效果较为满意.结论 乳腔镜下应用核素联合染料示踪法能提高SLN的检出率,且具有微创、美容的优点.通过SLN内癌细胞转移情况能够较为准确地预测新辅助化疗后乳腺癌患者腋窝淋巴结内癌细胞的转移情况.     

99mTc-human serum albumin: an effective radiotracer for identifying sentinel lymph nodes in melanoma.

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has emerged as a novel approach for identifying patients with melanoma and regional nodal micrometastasis who may benefit from full nodal basin resection. To identify the pattern of tumor lymphatic drainage and the SLN, lymphoscintigraphy has been performed using primarily 99mTc-sulfur colloid (SC). In this study, we compare the efficacy of SLN biopsy using 99mTc-human serum albumin (HSA) with SLN biopsy after SC-based lymphoscintigraphy. METHODS: One hundred and six patients with localized cutaneous melanoma were studied. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed after intradermal injection of HSA in 85 patients and SC in 21 patients. Four patients underwent lymphoscintigraphy twice, once with SC and once with HSA. Dynamic images were acquired for up to 1 h, followed by high-count images of the SLN in various projections so that the most likely site was marked on the skin for biopsy. Intraoperatively, blue dye was injected around the primary site. Twenty-four patients underwent SLN dissection directed by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and vital blue dye mapping; in the remaining 80 patients, a gamma probe was added intraoperatively to the localization procedure. Two patients underwent mapping with gamma probe alone. RESULTS: Draining lymphatic basins and nodes were identified by lymphoscintigraphy in all patients. The SLN was identified in 95% of patients when both blue dye and intraoperative gamma probe were used. When 99mTc-HSA was used for imaging, 98% of the SLNs ultimately identified were radiolabeled, and 82% were both hot and blue. Of the SLN recovered with SC, all the nodes were radiolabeled; however, there was only 58% hot and blue concordance. Greater numbers of SLNs were removed in the SC group (median 2.0 versus 1.0, P = 0.02); however, the incidence of micrometastasis was statistically similar in both HSA and SC cohorts. In the 4 patients examined with both tracers, SLN mapping was similar. CONCLUSION: Although SC has been the radiotracer of choice for SLN mapping in melanoma, HSA appears to be a suitable alternative, with identical success rates. In fact, the higher concordance between hot and blue nodes using HSA suggests superiority of this tracer for this purpose.     

The use of periareolar intradermal Tc-99m tin colloid and peritumoral intraparenchymal isosulfan blue dye injections for determination of the sentinel lymph node

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of lymphoscintigraphy, blue dye, and gamma probe detection methods for determination of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) using both periareolar intradermal injection of Tc-99m tin colloid and peritumoral intraparenchymal injection of isosulfan blue dye. METHODS: One hundred patients with T1-2 breast cancer and clinically negative nodes were enrolled in the present study. The study was composed of 2 groups. Backup axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was mandatory in group 1 (20 patients) regardless of their lymph node status. In group 2 (80 patients), complete ALND was performed when intraoperative frozen section analysis of SLN revealed metastases. Otherwise, only SLN biopsy was performed without ALND. One day before surgery, Tc-99m tin colloid was injected at 4 periareolar sites intradermally. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed 1 to 2 hours after injection of the radiocolloid. Twenty minutes before surgery, isosulfan blue dye was injected into parenchyma surrounding the tumor or the biopsy cavity. RESULTS: The detection rates of SLN and false-negative rate of lymphoscintigraphy, blue dye, and gamma probe detection were 85%, 95% 100%, and 0% in group 1, 91%, 87%, and 95% in group 2, respectively. Detection rate by the combination of blue dye and radio tracer was 98%. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of our study, we conclude that perioareolar intradermal injection of Tc-99m tin colloid combined with peritumoral intraparenchymal injection of blue dye is an accurate and easy method of locating the sentinel node with very high detection rates. It is recommended that the combination of all methods such as lymphoscintigraphy, blue dye, and gamma probe application will increase the success rate of SLN detection in patients with 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.     

联合使用蓝染料和Tc同位素测定胃癌前哨淋巴结的临床意义

目的探讨胃癌中前哨淋巴结（sentinel lymphnode，SLN）概念的适用性，评估前哨淋巴结活检预测胃癌区域淋巴结转移状态的价值及其指导胃癌淋巴结清扫范围的临床意义。方法46例胃癌患者，术前经胃镜于病灶周围黏膜下注入锝标记的锡胶体，术中于病灶周同浆膜下分点注入亚甲蓝，待亚甲蓝显示淋巴结后，将γ探测仪检测到的放射活性最高的淋巴结视为胃癌前哨淋巴结，行术中冰冻免疫组化和常规病理检查或进一步行常规免疫组化染色，分别计算前哨淋巴结诊断胃癌淋巴结转移状态的准确性、敏感性、阴性预测值。结果胃癌前哨淋巴结的检出成功率为100％（46／46）。联合法测定SLN诊断胃癌周围淋巴结转移状态的准确性为100％．敏感性为100％，阴性预测值为100％。结论前哨淋巴结概念适合于胃癌；联合使用蓝染料和锝标锡胶体示踪检测胃癌前哨淋巴结可准确预测胃癌周围淋巴结的转移状态，并可能用于指导胃癌的淋巴结清扫范围。     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients: subdermal versus peritumoural radiocolloid injection

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has been widely used in the management of melanoma and breast cancer. The aims of this study were (1) to compare the results obtained with the two main injection techniques, the peritumoural and subdermal; and (2) to determine the reliability of SLN to predict the regional lymph node status. METHOD: We prospectively studied 80 women (mean age 56 years) with breast cancer. Thirty-four of them were T1 and the remaining 46 were T2. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A, 36 patients were injected subdermally, surrounding the tumour site. Group B, 44 patients were injected peritumourally guided by ultrasound if non-palpable. Planar images were performed 15 min after the injection and continued until SLN identification. Before surgery, blue dye injection was administered similarly to the radiocolloid. After incision, a hand-held gamma probe was used to reach the SLN. All nodes harvested were analysed by classic pathology techniques. RESULTS: Overall, lymphoscintigraphy allowed the detection of SLN in 75/80 patients (94%). All subdermal lymphoscintigraphies were positive (36/36) compared with 89% of peritumoural (39/44). Blue dye detected SLN in 23/31 patients (74%) after subdermal injection and in 24/34 patients (71%) after peritumoural injection. The sensitivity to localize the SLN with lymphoscintigraphy+blue dye+gamma probe was 92% (33/36) within the subdermal group and 91% (40/44) within the peritumoural group. Overall, five false negative SLN were found. All of these corresponded to T2 tumours with a size greater than 2.5 cm. The negative predictive value and the accuracy were 93% and 94%, respectively, for the subdermal group and 90% and 93% for the peritumoural group. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Our results indicate that both techniques have similar results. However, we suggest that T2 tumours with a size greater than 2.5 cm should be excluded from the SLN technique, in order to improve the accuracy and negative predictive value. (2) Lymphoscintigraphy is essential for visualizing the SLN, and blue dye can be helpful when the gamma probe does not localize the SLN.     

Identification of sentinel lymph node in stage I-II breast cancer with lymphoscintigraphy and surgical gamma probe: comparison of Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m sulfur colloid

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the surgical gamma probe (SGP) after peritumoral injection of Tc-99m MIBI and filtered Tc-99m sulfur colloid (SC) in sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in stage I and II breast cancer for deciding on the need for axillary dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with stage I-II breast cancer had peritumoral injection of Tc-99m MIBI (74 MBq/0.2 mL [2 mCi/0.2 mL] at 4 different locations) and 42 different patients had peritumoral injection of filtered Tc-99m sulfur colloid (50 MBq/0.2 mL [1.3 mCi/0.2 mL] at 4 different locations). Anterior, lateral, and anterolateral spot images were acquired at 10, 30, 45, 60, and 120 minutes and 24 hours are injection in 5 patients. During surgery, counts were obtained from the injection site, affected breast tissue, internal mammary, axillary, and supraclavicular regions and the contralateral side using the gamma probe. Peritumoral blue dye was also injected during surgery. The first lymph nodes with counts at least twice the background tissue and/or with blue dye uptake were surgically isolated. Modified radical mastectomy and axillary dissection were performed. RESULTS: Histopathologic evaluation was made on SLN and other excised tissues. In the Tc-99m sulfur colloid group, lymphatic drainage and lymph nodes were demonstrated with lymphoscintigraphy in 31 of 42 patients. SLN was detected by SGP in 35 of 42 patients. In the Tc-99m MIBI group, lymphatic drainage and lymph nodes were visualized with lymphoscintigraphy in 23 of 30 patients. SLN was detected in 25 of 30 patients with SGP in this group. CONCLUSION: In patients with stage I-II breast cancer, SLN could be successfully demonstrated with lymphoscintigraphy and SGP by the peritumoral injection of filtered Tc-99m sulfur colloid and Tc-99m MIBI.     

The efficacy of 99mTc-HIG for sentinel lymph node mapping in breast cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Tc-HIG on SLN identification in patients with early-stage breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen women (18 tumours) with early-stage breast cancer were included. On the day of the operation, 111 MBq Tc-HIG was injected around the tumour or biopsy scar in all patients. Subsequently, dynamic lymphoscintigraphic images were taken for 30 min. After this, static images were recorded at 15-20 min intervals until the SLN was visualized. Patients were taken to the operating room 2-4 h after radiopharmaceutical injection. Before the incision, 5 ml of isosulfan blue dye solution was injected peritumourally in all subjects. Aided by blue dye and gamma probe SLN detection was done during the operation. RESULTS: In 17/18 tumours, SLN was detected with Tc-HIG lymphoscintigraphy. The mean visualization time for axillary SLNs was 49.94+/-11.25 min and for internal mammary SLNs was 52.50+/-10.60 min. In 15 of the tumours, only one SLN was detected in the axillary region. However, in two tumours, SLNs were found in both axillary and internal mammary regions. With blue dye mapping, axillary SLNs were found in 17/18 tumours. With the application of intraoperative gamma probe, all axillary and internal mammary SLNs were detected in 18 tumours. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Tc-HIG may be a suitable agent for SLN detection by lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe application in early-stage breast cancer patients.     

Sentinel lymph node detection following the hysteroscopic peritumoural injection of 99mTc-labelled albumin nanocolloid in endometrial cancer

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in endometrial cancer patients with a dual-tracer procedure after hysteroscopic peritumoural injection.Methods Twenty-six women with previously untreated endometrial adenocarcinoma underwent the hysteroscopic injection of 111 MBq ^99mTc-Nanocoll and blue dye administered subendometrially around the lesion. On the same day, all 26 patients underwent lymphoscintigraphy, followed 3–4 h later by hysterotomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Para-aortic lymphadenectomy was also performed in cases of either serous or papillary carcinoma (n=7/26). All SLNs were removed and examined with haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical techniques.Results The procedure was well tolerated by patients, only two experiencing transient vagal symptoms. The sensitivity of this technique for correct identification of SLNs was 100%. Lymph node metastases were found in 4 out of the 26 patients (15%), bilaterally in the external iliac region (n=1), unilaterally in the external iliac region (n=1), unilaterally in the common iliac region (n=1) and unilaterally in the para-aortic region (n=1). In all four cases, nodal metastases were located within SLNs detected by lymphoscintigraphy. Only 10 of the 26 patients (38%) had significant blue dye staining. All blue-stained SLNs were radioactive.Conclusion In patients with endometrial cancer, it is feasible to use lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy to define the topographic distribution of the lymphatic network and also to accurately detect lumbo-aortic and pelvic metastases within SLNs. In the majority of patients with early stage endometrial cancer, this procedure may avoid unnecessary radical pelvic lymphadenectomy. It may also guide para-aortic lymph node dissection on the basis of the SLN status.