Anaphylactic reactions to isosulfan blue dye during sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an alternative to axillary dissection for many breast cancer patients. Cases of anaphylactic reaction to the isosulfan blue dye used during SLNB have recently been reported. No study on the incidence of serious anaphylactic reactions during SLNB for breast cancer has been reported.


METHODS
We reviewed 639 consecutive SLNBs for breast cancer performed at our institution. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed using both isosulfan blue dye and technetium-99m sulfur colloid. Cases of anaphylaxis were reviewed in detail.


RESULTS
Overall, 1.1% of patients had severe anaphylactic reactions to isosulfan blue requiring vigorous resuscitation. No deaths or permanent disability occurred. In patients with anaphylaxis, hospital stay was prolonged by a mean of 1.6 days. In 1 patient, the anaphylactic reaction required termination of the operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Prompt recognition and aggressive treatment of anaphylactic reactions to isosulfan blue are critical to prevent an adverse outcome. Lymphatic mapping with blue dye should be performed in a setting where personnel are trained to recognize and treat anaphylaxis.
Albo
D
D
Department of Surgical Oncology, Box 444, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Wayne
J D
JD
Hunt
K K
KK
Rahlfs
T F
TF
Singletary
S E
SE
Ames
F C
FC
Feig
B W
BW
Ross
M I
MI
Kuerer
H M
HM
D000368:Aged; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C025484:iso-sulfan blue; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid