Sentinel lymph node detection in canine oncological patients.
BACKGROUND
Sentinel lymph node detection was investigated in dogs with spontaneously occurring tumours.


METHODS
In this pilot study, 24 client-owned spontaneously tumorous dogs presented for sentinel lymph node detection. A multiple method was used with a nuclear medicine technique (injection of 99mTc human serum albumin colloid) with scintigraphy and intraoperative guidance, and blue dye injection.


RESULTS
Of the 35 lymph nodes histologically demonstrated to contain metastases, 34 (97%) were found by radioguided surgery, which means that one would have been missed in the intraoperative localisation process; 31 nodes (89%) were clearly visualised in the gamma camera images; only 27 (77%) were blue-stained by vital dye; a mere 8 lymph nodes (23%) were enlarged and therefore easily detectable by palpation.


CONCLUSIONS
Data obtained from the harmless application of the sentinel node concept are useful for the radiopharmaceutist. The sentinel lymph node concept is well applicable in the veterinary clinic.
Fodor József National Center of Health, National Frederic Jolot Curie Research Institute for Radiobiology ahd Radiohygiene, Budapest, Hungary. lbalogh@hp.osski.hu
Lajos
L
Balogh
Julianna
J
Thuróczy
Gábor
G
Andócs
Domokos
D
Máthé
Pradip
P
Chaudhari
Edina
E
Perge
Imre
I
Biksi
András
A
Polyák
Réka
R
Király
Gyõzõ A
GA
Jánoki