A comparison of methylene blue and lymphazurin in breast cancer sentinel node mapping.
BACKGROUND
When lymphazurin became unavailable to our institution, we elected to employ methylene blue to perform sentinel node mapping for patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare methylene blue and lymphazurin for performing sentinel node mapping for breast cancer.


METHODS
We evaluated our sentinel node mapping experience from April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002. Patients were divided into two groups based on the dye used for lymphatic mapping. The two groups were compared to evaluate the results of the sentinel node mapping procedure.


RESULTS
During the study period a total of 199 patients were evaluated with sentinel node mapping, 87 with lymphazurin and 112 with methylene blue. The two groups were similar in demonstrating the success of the sentinel node procedure, nodes identified per case, and technique used for node identification (colloid or dye, or both).


CONCLUSIONS
In our initial experience, methylene blue appears to be equivalent to lymphazurin for sentinel node mapping in breast cancer.
Blessing
Walter D
WD
Department of Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA.
Stolier
Alan J
AJ
Teng
Stephen C
SC
Bolton
John S
JS
Fuhrman
George M
GM
D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008751:Methylene Blue; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C025484:iso-sulfan blue; D008751:Methylene Blue