title: Sentinel node detection in malignant melanoma patients: radiation safety considerations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The surgical management of malignant melanoma necessitates correct sentinel lymph node localization. The highest reported sensitivities are those of lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma-probe detection combined with a vital blue dye technique.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Control of the radiation doses experienced by surgical personnel untrained in the use of unsealed radioactive materials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sentinel lymph nodes were localized, and biopsies were performed in 25 patients with malignant melanoma. Radiation doses during surgery were determined with energy-compensated silicon pin diode detectors and LiF thermoluminescent ring dosimeters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 21 cases (24%), the measured doses were less than 1 microSv, but in 4 operations (16%), 1 to 4.5 microSv was received. The equivalent dose rate was generally less than 1 microSv/h. The finger-absorbed doses for the surgeon and the assistant surgeon were (mean+/-SD) 159+/-23 and 48+/-17 microGy per intervention, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Personal dosimetric survey and limitation of the number of surgical interventions do not appear to be essential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Szeged, Budapest, Hungary. serat@comser.szote.u-szeged.hu
authors.forename: Terez
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sera
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mohos
authors.forename: Miklos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papos
authors.forename: Margit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osvay
authors.forename: Janos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: Mate
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazar
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.forename: Klara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kapitany
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dobozy
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Csernay
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pavics
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011874:Radiometry; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*