Sentinel Node Localization by Lymphoscintigraphy: A Reliable Technique with Widespread Applications

摘要: The concept of the sentinel lymph node (SN) represents an important contribution to guide appropriate surgery cancer. Diagnostic non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures that provide accurate preoperative staging status are badly needed. technique SN biopsy, first developed with purpose select melanoma patients for regional dissection, has been extended other malignancies. Initial studies in breast carcinoma, conducted vital blue dye, showed was biologically valid, although missed up 30%–40% cases. If a radioactive tracer is injected close tumor, then can be identified by lymphoscintigraphy (LS), and gamma ray detecting probe (GDP) used locate skin projection assist biopsy. These techniques already successfully carcinoma where various parameters involved, such as size particles, injection site volume, have recently optimized. In large series cancer patients, overall predictive value SNs biopsy guided LS GDP 96.8%; small carcinomas (<1.2 cm diameter), concordance between axillary 98.6%. melanoma, combined itself superior dye mapping. associated allowed detection 98% cases 72 54 basins were localized. Using instead, stained only 80% (50 40 basins). Lymphoscintigraphic shown promising results also tumors vulva tongue. conclusion, simple nuclear medicine technique, relatively inexpensive well accepted patients. becoming widely adopted variety neoplasms, contributing significantly search less aggressive treatments early stages