title: A suggested method for sentinel node biopsy in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Debate continues over the management of the N0 neck in head and neck malignancy. Therefore, the possibility of performing sentinel node biopsy in these patients was investigated to formulate a method for the procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients undergoing prophylactic or therapeutic neck dissections were injected with either Patent Blue V dye alone or with blue dye and 99m-Tc labeled Albures. The latter group underwent preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. During surgery, blue stained lymphatics were followed to blue nodes, and a neoprobe was used to identify radioactive nodes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 5 of 13 patients receiving blue dye, a blue node was identified, but none contained tumor. Metastases were identified in other neck nodes in 3 of 5. Sentinel nodes were identified in 15 of 16 patients receiving dye, and Albures. Sentinel node biopsy was accurate in 7 of 7 necks containing impalpable metastases when all nodes had been evaluated after dissection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sentinel node biopsy using blue dye and radiocolloid may prove to be a reliable technique in the N0 neck and warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Unit, Canniesburn Hospital, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1QL, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shoaib
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Soutar
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Prosser
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Dunaway
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: McCurrach
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bessent
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: MacDonald
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D009333:Neck; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013667:Technetium
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D013667:Technetium