Sentinel lymph node evaluation in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) radiolocalization in N0 neck in squamous cell head and neck carcinoma and its predictive value for occult metastasis.


METHODS
Nineteen patients of an open prospective trial.


METHODS
After peritumoral injection of a 99m Tc labeled radiocolloid, the SLN was localized preoperatively by lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperatively through the intact skin by a hand-held gamma-probe. The histology of the SLN and the nodes of the elective neck dissection were compared.


RESULTS
Localization of the SLN by lymphoscintigraphy was possible in 18 of 19, and with the hand-held gamma-probe in all 19 patients. Six SLN revealed occult metastatic disease. No skip metastasis were found in the 13 neck specimen with negative SLN.


CONCLUSIONS
SLN evaluation in N0 neck in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is accurately feasible and seems to adequately predict the presence of occult metastasis.
Stoeckli
S J
SJ
Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. stoeckli@orl.usz.ch
Steinert
H
H
Pfaltz
M
M
Schmid
S
S
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology
D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; C083602:technetium Tc 99m nanocolloid