Iliopelvic lymphoscintigraphy.
In patients with genitourinary cancers, it is critically important that lymph node metastases be detected prior to surgery. Information regarding the status of these nodes will influence the type and extent of therapy. Radiologic tests currently available for lymph node imaging--contrast lymphangiography, ultrasound, and computed tomography--are sometimes associated with a high false-negative rate. Iliopelvic lymphoscintigraphy, when performed following bilateral perianal injections of 99mTc-antimony trisulfide colloid, offers a physiologic method for visualizing these nodes and allows demonstration of the internal iliac chain, often not visualized on contrast lymphangiographic studies. Additionally, data from initial patient trials suggest that this technique offers a clinically acceptable level of sensitivity and specificity. This article details the methodology of the technique, and addresses reproducibility, sensitivity, specificity, and image interpretation.
D000965:Antimony / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006050:Gold Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011187:Posture; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013667:Technetium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017556:Technetium Compounds; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014565:Urogenital Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D006050:Gold Radioisotopes; D017556:Technetium Compounds; C019096:technetium Tc 99m antimony sulfide; D013667:Technetium; D000965:Antimony