Preoperative staging by multidetector-row computed tomography in patients with rectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT, or multi-slice CT) has been introduced in 2000. So far, there has been no published study on this modality in patients with rectal carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty patients with rectal carcinoma were preoperatively examined by MDCT and conventional CT (CCT). Diagnostic accuracies of both modalities were compared regarding the evaluation of depth of tumor invasion (Tis/T1/T2, T3, T4) and lymph node metastasis based on the pathologic findings. RESULTS: Although CCT detected a tumor in 13 (65%) of 20 patients, MDCT revealed a tumor in all 20 patients (P = 0.004). Regarding depth of tumor invasion, the concordance rate was significantly higher for MDCT (20/20: 100%) than for CCT (12 of 20: 60%; P = 0.002). Regarding lymph node metastasis, the overall accuracy was 70.0% in CCT, and also 70.0% in MDCT. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT was superior to CCT in the evaluation of depth of tumor invasion, but was equal to CCT in the evaluation of lymph node metastasis.     

Multidetector-row computed tomography for the preoperative evaluation of axillary nodal status in patients with breast cancer

Purpose We evaluated the effectiveness of multidetector-row computed tomography (MD-CT) for detecting axillary lymph nodal status (ALNS) in patients with breast cancer. Methods We reviewed 42 patients with breast cancer. A metastatic lymph node on MD-CT was defined as oval or round, with more than 5 mm on the short axis. We evaluated ALNS preoperatively by both palpation and MD-CT findings and performed sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Results For establishing the ALNS, MD-CT showed a sensitivity of 76.9%, a specificity of 96.6%, and an accuracy of 90.5%. On the basis of the MD-CT findings, misdiagnosis was made in 4 of the 42 patients, only one of which was false positive. On the other hand, one patient with a histologically negative sentinel lymph node (SLN) result had metastasis only in a non-SLN. Preoperative MD-CT showed a positive node in this patient. Conclusions Multidetector-row computed tomography assists in identifying women who require ALND without SLNB, with sufficient positive predictive value. Falsenegative detection by SLNB could be avoided with careful interpretation of the axillary lymph nodes shown by MD-CT.     

多排CT对胃癌腹膜转移术前预测的单中心大宗病例研究

目的探讨多排CT（MDCT）对胃癌腹膜转移术前预测的价值,基于胃癌MDCT征象探讨合理的腹腔镜探查指征。方法对640例胃癌患者术前行MDCT检查,其结果与手术病理结果相对照：同时．分析胃癌MDCT征象（浸润深度、淋巴结转移状况、肿瘤大小和肿瘤厚度）与腹膜转移状况的关系。结果MDCT对胃癌腹膜转移术前预测的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确率分别为51．0％（25／49）、99．3％（587／591）、86．2％（25／29）、96．1％（587／611）和95．6％（612／640）。单因素分析显示。4项胃癌MDCT征象（浸润深度、淋巴结转移状况、肿瘤大小和肿瘤厚度）均与胃癌腹膜转移状况密切相关（P=0．000）,MDCT判断为T0-2NxM0或TxN0M0期的胃癌病例均无腹膜转移：受试者工作特征（ROC）分析进一步显示,肿瘤大小和肿瘤厚度对预测胃癌腹膜转移状况具有较高的临床应用价值（ROC曲线下面积分别为0．83和0．75）;多因素分析显示,仅肿瘤大小与胃癌腹膜转移状况密切相关。结论MDCT对胃癌腹膜转移术前预测具有较高的准确率和临床应用价值：对MDCT判断为T0～2NxM0或TxN0M0期,或肿瘤较小的胃癌病例,由于其腹膜转移的发生概率较小而无需行腹腔镜探查。     

直肠癌镶嵌淋巴管的表达及其临床意义

目的 探讨镶嵌淋巴管(ML)的表达及其临床意义.方法 通过免疫组织化学法将48例直肠癌组织切片染色,观察直肠癌组织中的镶嵌淋巴管形态,并进行其与浸润深度、淋巴结转移及远处转移的相关分析.结果　46例直肠癌患者中有17例ML阳性,并且ML与直肠癌浸润深度无明显相关(r=-0.133,P＞0.05),与淋巴结转移(r=0.474)、远处转移(r=0.417)呈正相关(P＜0.01).结论　直肠癌淋巴管嵌合体的表达与直肠癌浸润深度、淋巴结转移及远处转移呈正相关,它可提示病情的发展及预后.

Abstract：

Objective To study the expression of mosaic lymphatic (ML) in human rectal carcinoma and its clinical significance. Methods Forty-eight specimens of rectal carcinoma were stained by immunohistochemical method. The patterns of mosaic lymphatic in rectal carcinoma were observed, and their correlation with invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis of rectal carcinoma was analyzed. Results ML was found in 17 of the 46 specimens, and there was no significant correlation between ML and invasion depth of rectal carcinoma. But ML was associated with existence of lymph node metastasis (r =0. 474,P ＜0. 01 ) and distant metastasis (r =0. 417 ,P ＜0. 01 ) positively. Conclusion There was a positive correlation between the expression of LM with invasion depth, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis.     

Preoperative evaluation of pelvic lateral lymph node of patients with lower rectal cancer: comparison study of MR imaging and CT in 53 patients

Background Preoperative assessment of the lateral pelvic lymph nodes is important for treatment strategy to patients with lower rectal cancer.Materials and methods Fifty-three patients with primary lower rectal cancer were preoperatively assessed by spiral computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5 T with a phased-array coil. Preoperative tumor and lymph node stages were compared with the final histological findings.Results The MRI tumor stage coincided with the histological stage in 36 of 53 patients (68%). The MRI and CT lymph node stage coincided with the histological stage in 33 (62%) and 26 (49%) of 53 patients, respectively. However the accuracy of MRI in detecting the lateral pelvic lymph node involvement was 83%, compared to 77% of CT (p<0.05).Conclusions With the use of MRI, the lateral pelvic lymph node involvement can be predicted with high accuracy, allowing preoperative identification of patients who need radiotherapy or extensive surgery to escape recurrence.     

Proportion of ground-glass opacity on high-resolution computed tomography in clinical T1 N0 M0 adenocarcinoma of the lung: A predictor of lymph node metastasis

OBJECTIVE: In patients with clinical T1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma, we investigated whether the proportion of ground-glass opacity area measured on high-resolution computed tomography was valuable for predicting the existence of lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, or vascular invasion. METHODS: Between 1994 and 1999, 111 patients with clinical stage IA adenocarcinoma underwent surgical resection of the lung at our hospital. Of these, 96 patients received high-resolution computed tomography of the chest, and they constituted the study population. The tumors were semiquantitatively classified into 5 groups on the basis of the proportion of ground-glass opacity area to whole tumor shadow on high-resolution computed tomography: group I, 0%; group II, 1% to 25%; group III, 26% to 50%; group IV, 51% to 75%; and group V, 76% to 100%. Correlations of computed tomographic findings, pathologic results of lymph node metastasis and lymphatic and vascular invasion, and the histologic subtype according to the new World Health Organization classification were examined. We also investigated the characteristics of the patients with ground-glass opacity areas on high-resolution computed tomography and their value for predicting lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Among the 96 patients, 15 (15.6%) had mediastinal lymph node metastases, and 3 (3.1%) had hilar node metastases. Regarding the proportion of the ground-glass opacity area of the tumors, 15 (15.6%) tumors were classified as group V, 11 (11.5%) as group IV, 9 (9.3%) as group III, 22 (22.9%) as group II, and 39 (40.6%) as group I, respectively. Of the 18 patients with lymph node metastases, no patients were found in groups IV and V, 2 (22.2%) were found in group III, 4 (18.2%) were found in group II, and 12 (30.8%) were found in group I (trend P =. 003), respectively. Twenty-six patients classified into groups IV and V also showed neither lymphatic invasion nor recurrence. All the smaller tumors (< or =2.0 cm) in group IV or V were histologically proved to be bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Adjusted for smoking status and other characteristics, patients without ground-glass opacity on high-resolution computed tomography had a significantly increased risk of concurrent lymph node metastasis compared with those with ground-glass opacity. CONCLUSION: In patients with clinical T1 N0 M0 adenocarcinoma, the proportion of ground-glass opacity area on thin-section computed tomography scans was a strong predictor for tumor aggressiveness and thus could be a useful index for planning limited surgical resection for these patients.     

T2期直肠癌淋巴结转移相关影响因素

目的探讨影响T2期直肠癌淋巴结转移的临床病理因素。方法回顾分析福建医科大学附属第一医院2006年3月至2011年1月间行根治性切除的122例T2期直肠癌患者的临床资料,分析影响其淋巴结转移的相关临床病理因素。结果122例T2期直肠癌患者中有26例（21．3％）发生淋巴结转移。单因素分析显示,肿瘤距肛缘距离（P〈0.05）、大体类型（P〈0.05）、组织类型（P〈0．01）、分化程度（P〈0．05）及肿瘤浸润深度（P〈0．05）与T2期直肠癌淋巴结转移有关。多因素分析显示,肿瘤浸润深度是影响T2期直肠癌淋巴结转移的独立因素（P〈0.05）;直肠癌浸润浅肌层和深肌层者淋巴结转移率分别为13．0％（7／54）和27．9％（19／68）。结论对于局限于浅肌层的L期直肠癌,因其淋巴结转移率较低,可考虑行经肛局部切除手术。     

腔内超声与螺旋CT对直肠癌术前分期的对比研究

目的比较腔内超声（EUS）和螺旋CT（SCT）对直肠癌术前分期的诊断价值。方法对68例直肠癌患者术前行EUS和SCT检查，将检查结果与手术及病理结果对比；同时比较EUS和SCT对诊断直肠肿瘤浸润深度、区域淋巴结转移的准确性。结果判断T分期，EUS准确率为86．8％（59／68），SCT准确率为70．6％（48／68），两者比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。评价N分期，EUS的准确率为67．6％（46／68），SCT的准确率为63．2％（43／68），两者比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论EUS对判断直肠肿瘤浸润深度优于SCT，但两者对淋巴结转移的判断均存在一定的局限性。     

FAK和VEGF在直肠癌中的表达及其相互关系的研究

目的：检测粘着斑激酶（FAK）和血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）在直肠癌中的表达及其与侵袭和转移的关系，探讨二者的相关性。方法：采用免疫组织化学SABC法，观察86例直肠癌及30例非直肠癌组织中FAK和VEGF的表达情况。结果：FAKVEGF在直肠癌中的阳性率分别为80％和59％。在非直肠癌组织中的阳性表达率分别为10％和13％。FAKF和VEGF在侵及浆膜层直肠癌病例中的表达明显高于未侵五2浆膜层者，二者之间差异性有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；有淋巴结转移组与无淋巴结转移组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），FAK与VEGF阳性表达呈正相关（p〈0．01）。结论：FAK、VEGF在直肠癌的侵袭和转移中起重要作用，二者在直肠癌中表达升高可以作为预测直肠癌侵袭和转移的指标     

CT检查淋巴结短径评估胸段食管鳞癌左侧喉返神经旁淋巴结转移的应用价值

目的:探讨CT检查淋巴结短径评估胸段食管鳞癌左侧喉返神经旁淋巴结转移的应用价值。方法:采用回顾性描述性研究方法。收集2009年10月至2016年12月2家医疗中心收治的628例（中山大学肿瘤防治中心236例、郑州大学附属肿瘤医院392例）胸段食管鳞癌病人的临床病理资料;男462例,女166例;中位年龄为62岁,年龄范围...     

中下段直肠癌E-钙黏附素表达与淋巴结微转移的关系研究

目的:分析中下段直肠癌E-钙黏附素(E-cadherin)表达与淋巴结微转移的关系。方法:应用CK-20免疫组化技术,对56例中下段直肠癌中661枚淋巴结微转移状况进行检测,同时观察肿瘤组织中E-钙黏附素的表达情况。结果:HE染色检测出29例中的190枚淋巴结呈转移,其CK-20免疫组化检测均呈阳性,后者在该29例中另检出12例55枚淋巴结呈阳性;在27例HE染色未检出淋巴结转移者中,有8例12枚淋巴结免疫组化检测呈阳性。20例(36%)67枚(10%)淋巴结检出微转移。中下段直肠癌E-钙黏附素表达阴性率为44.6%(25/56)。中下段直肠癌E-钙黏附素表达阴性与浸润深度(P=0.028)、分化程度(P=0.012)和淋巴结转移(P=0.007)密切相关。20例检测出淋巴结微转移的癌组织中14例(70%)E-钙黏附素表达阴性,而36例未检测出淋巴结微转移的癌组织中仅有11例(30.6%)E-钙黏附素表达阴性;二者差异有统计学意义(P=0.004)。结论:中下段直肠癌E-钙黏附素表达下调参与了淋巴结微转移的发生。     

Preoperative Staging of Rectal Cancer With MRI: Accuracy and Clinical Usefulness

Background: Preoperative staging is essential for planning of optimal therapy for patients with rectal cancer. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used frequently because of its benefits of clear pelvic image are better than other diagnostic methods. The purpose of this study was to determine accuracy rates and clinical usefulness of MRI in preoperative staging of rectal cancer.Methods: Between February, 1997, and December, 1999, 217 patients with histologically proven rectal cancer were staged preoperatively and had surgical resections performed. MRI criteria for depth of invasion was determined by the degree of disruption of the rectal wall. Metastatic perirectal lymph nodes were considered to be present if they showed heterogenous texture, irregular margin, and enlargement (.10 mm).Results: The accuracy of the MRI for determining depth of invasion was 176/217 (81%) and regional lymph node invasion was 110/217 (63%). In the T stage, accuracy rate of T1 was 3/4 (75%), T2 was 20/37 (54%), T3 was 141/162 (87%), and T4 was 12/14 (86%), respectively. The specificity of lymph node invasion was 45/110 (41%) and the sensitivity was 91/107 (85%). The accuracy rate of regional lymph node involvement was 136/217 (63%). T1 and T2 were overstaged in 1/4 (25%) and 17/37 (46%), respectively, and T3 was understaged in 15/162 (9.2%). The accuracy rate to detect metastatic lateral pelvic lymph node was 4/14 (29%) after lateral pelvic lymph node dissection was done in 14 patients under MRI. The accuracy rate in assessing levator ani muscle tumor involvement was 8/11 (72%).Conclusions: MRI showed a good, comparable accuracy rate for determining depth of tumor invasion, compared with transrectal ultrasonography, which still has a low accuracy rate for detecting metastatic lymph node. MRI with endorectal coil may increase the accuracy rate of T1 and T2 lesions. In addition, clear sagittal and coronal sectional pelvic images can give a lot of information about adjacent organ invasion or any invasion of levator ani muscle. MRI can be useful for choosing an appropriate extent of lymph node dissection and type of surgery.     

Functional imaging in penile cancer: PET/computed tomography, MRI, and sentinel lymph node biopsy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The presence and extent of lymph node metastasis and primary tumor are among the most important prognostic factors in penile cancer. While inguinal lymphadenectomy is currently the most accurate means of staging, it is associated with severe morbidity and even mortality. Recent literature was reviewed for alternative means of staging. RECENT FINDINGS: Functional imaging modalities distinguish between inguinal lymph nodes with and without metastasis. The false-negative rate of dynamic sentinel lymph node biopsy has recently improved from approximately 20 to 5% in one study. In 13 patients with penile cancer, (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/computed tomography was 80% sensitive and 100% specific for lymph node metastasis, but missed micro-metastasis. In seven patients with penile cancer, MRI with lymphotrophic nanoparticles was 100% sensitive and 97% specific for lymph node metastasis. SUMMARY: Combined PET/computed tomography and sentinel lymph node biopsy may help to detect both inguinal micrometastasis and pelvic and abdominal metastasis. Since MRI is highly accurate for staging of both primary penile cancer and its lymph node metastasis, however, it may turn out to be a powerful tool for a one-stop modality in the staging of penile cancer.     

64排螺旋CT多层灌注成像对结直肠癌的临床应用

目的研究结直肠癌（CRC）的64排螺旋CT（64MDCT）灌注成像时间-密度曲线（TDC）及诸参数与肿瘤分期、浆膜浸润、淋巴结及远处转移和CEA等的关系。方法对33例CRC患者进行64MDCT多层灌注成像检查。绘制所选层面靶动脉、靶静脉及肿瘤感兴趣区（ROI）的TDC。CT灌注的参数包括：血流量（BF）、血容量（BV）、平均通过时间（MTT）和表面通透性（PS）。肿瘤按TNM分期,TDC根据形态进行分型。对CT灌注参数与TNM分期、浆膜浸润、淋巴结及远处转移和CEA等诸因素的相关性进行统计学分析。结果CRC的TDC分为5种类型,TNM分期中各期的TDC可表现为5型中的一种或多种。CRC的灌注参数在各期中的差异无统计学意义,BV、MTT与浆膜浸润有关（t=2．63和-2．24,P=0．0137和0．0331）,Bv与肿瘤大小存在正相关（r=0．41,P=0．02）,BF、MTT与肿瘤分期、浆膜浸润、淋巴结转移、远处转移和CEA等均无关（P〉0．05）。结论MDCT多层灌注成像可反映CRC的血流灌注状况．可能为临床治疗方案提供客观依据。     

Comparison between endorectal coil and pelvic phased-array coil magnetic resonance imaging in patients with anorectal tumor

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used as one of the diagnostic tools in the preoperative evaluation of rectal cancer. However, the usefulness of endorectal coil (ERC) compared with phased array coil (PA) MRI is still unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with rectal (17 patients) and anal (2 patients) tumors undergoing both ERC-MRI and PA-MRI preoperatively were included in the study. Seventeen patients had advanced stage tumors, and the remaining 2 had early stage tumors. The diagnostic accuracy of depth tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis were compared with reference to the histopathologic findings as the gold standard. RESULTS: ERC-MRI was evaluable in only 10 (52.6%) of 19 patients, because of difficulties in ERC placement, whereas PA-MRI could be obtained in all patients (100%). In 10 patients examined by both modalities, the diagnostic accuracy of depth of tumor invasion was 80% by ERC-MRI and 80% by PA-MRI. In lymph node staging, ERC yielded sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 62.5%, and overall accuracy of 70.0%. The corresponding values for PA-MRI were 50%, 100% and 90.0%, respectively. These figures were not significantly different between the two modalities. CONCLUSIONS: ERC-MRI and PA-MRI showed similar diagnostic accuracy. ERC-MRI may be abandoned in the preoperative staging of patients with locally advanced anorectal tumors because of its limited clinical utility.     

Can depth of tumour invasion predict lymph node positivity in patients undergoing resection for early rectal cancer? A comparative study between T1 and T2 cancers

Objective The present study investigated the risk of lymph node metastasis according to the depth of tumour invasion in patients undergoing resection for rectal cancer. Method The histology of patients undergoing oncological resection with regional lymphadenectomy for rectal cancer at St Marks Hospital from 1971 to 1996 was reviewed. Of the total number of 1549 patients, 303 patients with T₁ or T₂ rectal cancers were selected. The tumour type, grade, evidence of vascular invasion, depth of submucosal invasion (classed into ‘sm1‐3’) were evaluated as potential predictors of lymph node positivity using univariate and multi‐level logistic regression analysis. Results Tumour stage was classified as T₁ in 55 (18.2%) and T₂ in 248 (81.2%) patients. The incidence of lymph node metastasis in the T₁ group was 12.7% (7/55), compared to 19% (47/247) in the T₂ group. The node positive and negative groups were similar with regard to patient demographics, although the former contained a significantly higher number of poorly differentiated (P = 0.001) and extramural vascular invasion tumours (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the number of patients with sm1‐3, or T₂ tumour depths within the lymph node positive and negative groups. On multivariate analysis the presence of extramural vascular invasion (odds ratio = 10.0) and tumour grade (odds ratio for poorly vs well‐differentiated = 11.7) were independent predictors of lymph node metastasis. Conclusion Whilst the degree of vascular invasion and poor differentiation of rectal tumours were significant risk factors for lymph node metastasis, depth of submucosal invasion was not. This has important implications for patients with superficial early rectal cancers in whom local excision is being considered.     

Lymph-node metastases in rectal carcinoids

Background

Colorectal carcinoids are described as low-grade malignancy in the WHO classification. However, the survival is equally poor between carcinoids and adenocarcinomas if the tumors have lymph node metastasis or distant metastasis.

Patients and methods

We reviewed 17 patients with rectal carcinoid, who underwent surgical resection with lymph node dissection at our institution between March 2005 and November 2007. Our criteria for surgical resection were: tumor size of 10 mm or larger and positive resection margin or the presence of lymphovascular invasion in lesions to which endoscopic or surgical local treatment was carried out.

Results

Lymph node metastases were present in 12 patients. Three of them were with tumors less than 10 mm in size, of whom two patients had lymphovascular invasion. In eight out of the 12 with lymph node metastases, preoperative computed tomography (CT) identified lymph nodes of 5 mm or larger in size.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that rectal carcinoids with lymph node metastasis are common. Previously reported risk factors of lymph node metastasis in rectal carcinoid such as tumor size >?=?10 mm and lymphovascular invasion are useful in predicting lymph node metastasis. In addition, lymph nodes 5 mm or larger in size identified on preoperative CT suggest the presence of metastasis.     

Possible misinterpretation on computed tomography of left inferior vena cava as retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis: A report of two cases

PURPOSE: We report on two cases of retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis of testicular cancer with left inferior vena cava. METHODS/RESULTS: A 25-year-old man with a left testicular cancer with pulmonary and retroperitoneal lymph node metastases received three courses of VIP (etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatinum) chemotherapy. Subsequent abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed round lesions enhanced with contrast agent on both sides of the aorta inside the degenerated lymphadenopathy. These lesions were regarded as a duplicated inferior vena cava (IVC) and this was confirmed at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. The second case is of a 21-year-old man with a left testicular cancer with pulmonary, liver and widespread lymph node metastases. Subsequent to a course of VIP chemotherapy, super high-dose chemotherapy was administered. Abdominal CT revealed a round mass enhanced with contrast agent on the left side of the aorta adjacent to the degenerated lymphadenopathy, which was regarded as the transposed left IVC and this was confirmed at lymph node dissection. CONCLUSIONS: In both cases, initial CT failed to detect the lesions as the left IVC and there was a possibility for the misinterpretation of such venous anomalies with residual lymphadenopathy.     

Is Total Mesorectal Excision Always Necessary for T1–T2 Lower Rectal Cancer?

Background

The goal of this multicenter study was to clarify the determinants of local excision for patients with T1–T2 lower rectal cancer.

Methods

Data from 567 consecutive patients who underwent radical resection for T1–T2 lower rectal cancer at 12 institutions between 1991 and 1998 were reviewed. Rates of lymph node metastasis were investigated using a tree analysis, which was hierarchized using independent risk factors for nodal involvement.

Results

The independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis were female gender, depth of tumor invasion, histology other than well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, and lymphatic invasion. According to the first three parameters that can be obtained preoperatively, only 0.99% of the patients without risk factors had lymph node metastasis. On the other hand, even if the lower rectal cancer was at stage T1, women with histological types other than well-differentiated adenocarcinoma had an approximately 30% probability of having lymph node metastasis. Lymphatic invasion was most useful to predict nodal involvement among patients with T2 lower rectal cancer. The rates of lymph node metastasis in T2 patients with and without lymphatic invasion were 32.9% and 9.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Gender is one of the most important predictors for lymph node metastasis in patients with early distal rectal cancer. Three parameters, including depth of tumor invasion, histology, and gender, are useful determinants for local excision. Additional studies are required to establish the minimum optimal treatment for T2 lower rectal cancer.     

A study of the assessment of axillary lymph nodes before surgery for breast cancer using multidetector-row computed tomography

Purpose  

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is widely used in the detection of breast cancer metastasis, and a retrospective study was conducted to determine whether the preoperative assessment of axillary lymph node metastasis using multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) images would contribute to the selection of patients who require SLNB.