title: Lymphoscintigraphy in malignant melanoma.
abstract: The development and rationale for the use of lymphoscintigraphy in the preoperative evaluation of patients with malignant melanoma being considered for elective lymph node dissection is reviewed. This overview is updated by an analysis of 135 patients with early stage malignant melanoma involving the head, neck, shoulders, and trunk at Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute at the University of South Florida (Tampa, FL). High discordancy rates (overall, 41%) were seen between drainage patterns predicted from historical anatomical guidelines and those revealed by the lymphoscintigraphic examination. The high discordancy rate was most pronounced in the head (64%) and the neck (73%). Surgical management was changed in 33% of the patients, overall. A preoperative lymphoscintigram is recommended for all patients with melanoma with head, neck, and truncal lesions evaluated for elective lymph node dissection as the lymphatic drainage patterns are often unpredictable and variable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Cruse
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Reintgen
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000592:standards; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000592:standards*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery