Biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes guided by lymphoscintigraphic mapping in patients with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the technical success rate of sentinel node biopsy with lymphoscintigraphy in women with breast cancer and the frequency with which sentinel node biopsy obviated axillary dissection. Factors affecting the success rate of sentinel node biopsy and lymphoscintigraphy were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Retrospective review revealed 119 women with breast cancer who underwent lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy at our institution during the study period. A planned axillary dissection was performed in 13 of the first 16 patients; otherwise, axillary dissection was only performed if tumor was present in sentinel nodes or if the sentinel node biopsy was unsuccessful. RESULTS. Sentinel node biopsy was successful in 96% of patients, and sentinel node metastases were found in 20%. In 78% of patients, a negative sentinel node biopsy obviated axillary dissection. Prior excisional biopsy was not associated with a failed sentinel node biopsy (p = 0.750) but was associated with failed lymphoscintigraphy (p = 0.01). Successful lymphoscintigraphy was associated with successful sentinel node biopsy (p < 0.0001). No association was found between the histology or size of the tumor and a failed sentinel node biopsy (p = 0.46 and p = 0.1, respectively) or failed lymphoscintigraphy (p = 0.36 and p = 0.47, respectively). CONCLUSION. Sentinel node biopsy guided by lymphoscintigraphy, intraoperative gamma probe, and isosulfan blue dye is an effective alternative to axillary dissection in patients with breast cancer. Lymphoscintigraphy improved the success rate of sentinel node biopsy. Large tumor size or prior excisional biopsy should not prevent patients from having sentinel node biopsy.     

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。     

乳腺癌前哨淋巴结的探测

目的　评价生物染料、99Tcm 硫胶体及 2种方法联合探测前哨淋巴结 (SLN)的临床效果。方法　 71例早期乳腺癌患者 ,年龄 (5 5 .18± 11.79,34～ 85 )岁 ,采用生物染料 (亚甲蓝、isosulfanblue)、99Tcm 硫胶体及联合探测。以手术切除后淋巴结病理检查作为评价标准。结果　 71例患者中6 0例定位成功。亚甲蓝组探测SLN的检出率、准确性、灵敏度和假阴性率分别为 75 0 % ,83 3% ,70 0 %和 30 0 % ;isosulfanblue组分别为 86 2 % ,96 0 % ,90 0 %和 10 0 % ;99Tcm 硫胶体组 8例中检出SLN 7例 ,真阳性、假阴性和真阴性分别为 1,0和 6例 ;99Tcm 硫胶体 +isosulfanblue组 10例均检出SLN ,真阳性、假阴性及真阴性分别为 3,0和 7例。结论　SLN探测可较准确地反映腋淋巴结的组织学特点 ,染料和99Tcm 硫胶体联合应用可提高SLN检出率、准确性和灵敏度 ,降低假阴性率。     

Clinical relevance of sentinel lymph nodes in the internal mammary chain in breast cancer patients

Purpose Despite the widespread use of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer patients, some controversy exists about the correct management of extra-axillary nodes, especially those located in the internal mammary chain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of SLNs in this region, calculate the lymphoscintigraphic and surgical detection rates and evaluate the clinical impact on staging and therapeutic decisions.Methods The study involved 383 consecutive women diagnosed with early breast cancer with T1 or T2 tumours. Eight patients had a bilateral tumour, which brought the total to 391 lesions. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed on the day before surgery by injection of ^99mTc-labelled nanocolloid. The injection site was subdermal (68 patients), peritumoural (107 patients) or intratumoural (216 patients). During surgery a gamma probe was used to guide the surgeon and the SLNs were removed. SLNs were analysed by a conventional pathological study and processed for H&E examination and immunohistochemistry.Results Lymphoscintigraphy detected at least one SLN in 369 out of the 391 procedures (94.4%). SLNs were found in the axillary chain in 367 cases and in the internal mammary chain in 55. In two of these 55 cases (3.6%), the SLN was the only one detected. There was no drainage to the internal mammary chain in any case of subdermal injection but such drainage was found in 15.9% of cases with peritumoural injection and 17.6% of those with intratumoural injection. Compared with tumours located in the outer quadrants, a higher percentage of tumours located in the inner quadrants showed drainage to the internal mammary chain (p<0.001). A total of 42 SLNs in the internal mammary chain could be removed in 32 patients without appreciable morbidity. In 20 cases both axillary and internal mammary SLNs were negative, in four both were positive, and in five axillary SLNs were positive and internal mammary SLNs were negative. More interestingly, in the remaining patient with both axillary and internal mammary SLNs, the axillary SLN was negative while malignant cells were found in the internal mammary region. In the evaluation of the clinical impact of internal mammary SLN biopsy, we found that staging was modified from pN1a to pN1c in four patients and, more importantly, from pN0 to pN0(i+) in one patient. The change in stage led to a modification of the postoperative treatment plan with respect to radiotherapy and systemic therapy.Conclusion Evaluation of the SLNs in the internal mammary chain provides more accurate staging of breast cancer patients. If internal mammary sampling is not performed, patients can be understaged. This technique can offer a better indication of those patients who will benefit from selective treatment options like radiotherapy to this region or systemic therapy.     

Non-visualization of sentinel lymph node in patients with breast cancer

Histological evaluation of the first draining lymph node (sentinel node) in the axilla of patients with breast cancer has dramatically altered the surgical approach to these patients, with sparing of the axilla if no tumour cells are identified. In a fraction of patients imaged after peri-tumoural injection of the breast, there is no visualization of the sentinel node. We retrospectively analysed the status of patients whose nodes were visualized and of patients whose nodes failed to visualize, to define the variables associated with non-visualization of the sentinel node. Seventy-four breast cancer patients were imaged following peri-tumoural injection of filtered 99Tc(m)-sulfur colloid, immediately and up to 5.5 h post-injection. The scintigraphic data were analysed with reference to the patient's age, histology, grade, site and size of tumour, previous diagnostic procedure and time interval to scan, using univariate analysis and a logistic regression model. A sentinel node was visualized in 53 of 74 women (72%). Comparison of patients with non-visualized versus visualized sentinel nodes disclosed no statistically significant univariate relation to age of the patients (P = 0.10), size of tumour (P = 0.46), site (P = 0.26), histology [invasive ductal carcinoma in 16 of 20 (80%) non-visualized cases, and in 43 of 53 (81%) visualized patients], prior excision biopsy (P = 0.36) and time interval to surgery (P = 0.29). Tumour grade was the only significant variable on univariate analysis (P = 0.03), though multivariate analysis showed that none of the independent parameters were statistically significant. In 39 patients with an upper outer quadrant tumour, the location of the sentinel node was not limited to the axilla and even crossed the midline of the breast. Our results show that none of the independent variables is associated with non-visualization of sentinel lymph node on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy of patients with breast cancer, though the tumour grade may have contributed to non-visualization of this node. The non-axillary drainage from upper outer quadrant tumours suggests the routine use of lymphoscintigraphy prior to axillary dissection.     

乳腺癌清扫的前哨淋巴结:高空间分辨力7 T MRI的特征

目的探讨经组织病理学证实的乳腺癌病人被清扫的前哨转移淋巴结与7TMRI特征的相关性。材料与方法 2008年11月—2010年7月期间,33例女性乳腺癌病人(年龄31～80岁,平均57岁)被清扫的淋巴结共114个。采用3DT1WI脂肪抑制快速场梯度回波(各向同性,180μm)MR序列     

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.     

Practice variation in defining sentinel lymph nodes on lymphoscintigrams in oral cancer patients

Purpose

Lymphoscintigraphic imaging and adequate interpretation of the lymphatic drainage pattern is an essential step in the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) procedure. In oral cancer, identification of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) can be challenging. In this study, interobserver variability in defining SLNs on lymphoscintigrams was evaluated in patients with T1–T2 stage N0 oral cancer.

Methods

Sixteen observers (head and neck surgeons, nuclear medicine physicians or teams of both) from various institutes were asked which criteria they use to consider a hot focus on the lymphoscintigram as SLN. Lymphoscintigrams of 9 patients with 47 hot foci (3–9 per patient) were assessed, using a scale of ‘yes/equivocal/no’. Bilateral drainage was seen in four of nine cases. In three cases additional late single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT scanning was performed. Interobserver variability was evaluated by kappa (к) analysis, using linear weighted pairwise comparison of the observers. Conservative (equivocal analysed as no) and sensitive (equivocal analysed as yes) assessment strategies were investigated using pairwise kappa analysis.

Results

Various definitions of SLN on lymphoscintigrams were given. Interobserver variability of all cases using a 3-point scale showed fair agreement (71 %, к_w?=?0.29). The conservative and sensitive analyses both showed moderate agreement: conservative approach к?=?0.44 (in 80 % of the hot foci the observers agreed) and sensitive approach к?=?0.42 (81 %) respectively. Multidisciplinary involvement in image interpretation and higher levels of observer experience appeared to increase agreement.

Conclusion

Among 16 observers, there is practice variation in defining SLNs on lymphoscintigrams in oral cancer patients. Interobserver variability of lymphoscintigraphic interpretation shows moderate agreement. In order to achieve better agreement in defining SLNs on lymphoscintigrams specific guidelines are warranted.     

探测乳腺癌前哨淋巴结的初步应用

目的 评价核素淋巴显像和γ探针定位确定乳腺癌前哨淋巴结（SLN）的价值。方法 28例妇性乳腺癌患者,体检腋窝未扪及肿块。^99Tc^m－右旋糖酐（Dx）37MBq皮下注射,行淋巴显像后用γ探针皮肤定位,并与手术、病理检查结果对照。结果 28例患者中活检的SLN26例,灵敏度为85.7%(6/7例）,特异性100％（19／19例）。结论 核素淋巴显像和γ探针定位是一种简便、安全、易被患者接受的检测SLN的方法,对预测腋窝淋巴结转移有很大帮助。     

Clinically node-negative breast cancer, internal mammary lymph nodes, and sentinel lymph node biopsy

We report 2 cases demonstrating that localization of internal mammary (IM) sentinel lymph nodes with lymphoscintigraphy using peritumoral injection of Tc-99m antimony sulfide colloid, followed by resection using minimal access surgery, can reveal nodal metastatic disease in patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer when axillary sentinel nodes are not affected by metastatic disease. When this is found, it changes staging and can affect prognosis and treatment. These cases confirm that the technique used is sampling true sentinel IM nodes, that is nodes that receive direct lymph flow from the breast cancer, and confirm the importance of sampling IM sentinel lymph nodes. Unless techniques are used that are specifically designed to identify IM node drainage from the breast cancer site itself, with subsequent directed surgical removal of sentinel IM nodes, some patients with breast cancer will not be staged correctly.     

Preliminary study of real-time three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer

To investigate the clinical value of real-time three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound (3D-CEUS) in the detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and drainage lymphatics in breast cancer patients. The prospective study was performed in women with pathology-confirmed T1/2 breast cancer between June 2016 and December 2017 who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy and 3D-CEUS. The number, size, location, enhancement pattern of SLNs, and the lymphatic drainage patterns were reviewed. The routes, location of SLNs, and lymph channels (LCs) on the surface were marked. All patients underwent blue dye–guided sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) finally. According to the postoperative pathology findings and the blue dye staining of the lymphatic drainage routes, there are six patterns of lymphatic drainage routes and the coincidence rate of the 3D-CEUS was 97.4%; the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, the LN detection rate, and the correct diagnosis rate of the 3D-CEUS were 75%, 93.0%, 81.8%, 89.9%, 95.3%, and 87.7%, respectively. 3D-CEUS is a new feasible and useful approach to detect the SLNs and LCs. 3D-CEUS can accurately localize the LCs and SLNs and estimate the presence of metastatic lymph nodes. • The three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound can detect the sentinel lymph nodes. • The three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound can show the stereo direction of sentinel lymph nodes and lymph drainage routes. • The three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound can accurately localize the LCs and SLNs and estimate the presence of metastatic lymph nodes.     

Imaging axillary lymph nodes in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer

The presence of axillary lymph node metastasis in patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer carries significant prognostic and management implications. As a result, there is increasing interest to stage accurately the axilla with preoperative imaging to facilitate treatment planning. Currently, the most widespread imaging techniques for the evaluation of the axilla include ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. In many settings, the ability to detect axillary lymph nodes containing metastases with imaging and image-guided biopsy can allow surgeons to bypass sentinel lymph node dissection and proceed with full axillary lymph node dissection. However, no imaging modality currently has sufficient negative-predictive value to obviate surgical staging of the axilla if no abnormal lymph nodes are detected. Promising advanced imaging technologies, such as diffusion-weighted imaging and magnetic resonance lymphangiography, hold the potential to improve the accuracy of axillary staging and thereby transform management of the axilla in patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer.     

Oblique view of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy improves detection of sentinel lymph nodes in esophageal cancer

Because sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) of esophageal cancer can be widely located between the neck and the upper abdomen, lymphoscintigraphy plays an important role in their detection, but some modifications are required to clearly visualize their locations. Recently, we applied the stereoscopic imaging method by adding the 10-degree oblique view to the conventional lymphoscintigraphy for SLNs, so that we could better determine SLN locations on the basis of depth information. In this report, we describe a case in which the oblique view of the lymphoscintigram contributed to improving the visualization of a mediastinal SLN of esophageal cancer. Evaluation of the patient's chest CT image validated the notion that gamma rays from SLN are less absorbed by the surrounding soft tissues and the sternum in acquisition from the oblique view than from the true anterior view. The additional oblique view of the lymphoscintigram is useful for evaluation of the SLNs of esophageal cancer.     

Comparison of subareolar injection lymphoscintigraphy with the 1-day and the 2-day protocols for the detection of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer

Objective  Lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy are used for the detection of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients. However, currently there is no standardized technique. For the detection of axillary lymph node metastasis by lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy, in patients with breast cancer, we compared the results of subareolar injections administered on the day of surgery (1-day protocol) with injections administered on the day before surgery (2-day protocol). Materials and methods  This study included 412 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between 2001 and 2004. For the 1-day protocol (1 h before surgery) 0.8 ml of Tc-99m Tin-Colloid (37 MBq) was injected in 203 in the subareolar region on the morning of the surgery. For the 2-day protocol (16 h before surgery) 0.8 ml of Tc-99m Tin-Colloid (185 MBq) was injected in 209 patients on the afternoon before surgery. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in the supine position and sentinel node identification was performed by hand-held gamma probe during surgery. Results  Among 203 patients with the 1-day protocol, 185 cases (91.1%) were identified by sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy, and 182 cases (89.7%) were identified by gamma probe. Among the 209 patients, in the 2-day protocol, 189 cases (90.4%) had the sentinel node identified by lymphoscintigraphy, and 182 cases (87.1%) by the gamma probe. There was no significant difference in the identification rate of the sentinel node between the 1-day and 2-day protocols by lymphoscintigraphy and the gamma probe (p > 0.05, p > 0.05). Conclusions  The results of the identification of the sentinel node by subareolar injection according to 1-day or 2-day protocol, in breast cancer patients, showed no significant differences. Because the 2-day protocol allows for an adequate amount of time to perform the lymphoscintigraphy, it is a more useful protocol for the identification of sentinel nodes in patients with breast cancer.