title: Enlarged axillary nodes and position of the arms in axillary irradiation--a computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the axillary node displacement away from chest wall and their anatomical location in relation to the humeral head, according to the position of the arms, when the axilla is the site of enlarged nodes. In 13 patients with enlarged axillary nodes, the anatomical span of the nodes according to two arms positions, akimbo (A) and up over the head (U), was prospectively evaluated using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The nodes were classified into two groups, i.e. the lower and upper groups. The mean distances of the lower node group from the chest wall when the patients were in A, and U positions were 3 cm and 6.4 cm, respectively (p = 0.002). The upper group nodes showed a smaller difference in the distance from the chest wall: in A position, mean 2.1 cm; in U position 2.8 cm (p = 0.03). In U position, there was always a node of the lower group that was displaced in front of the humeral head. This study demonstrates the displacement of enlarged axillary nodes according to the position of the arms. In patients with axillary node involvement, CT planning should be considered when they have their arms held up over their heads.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Science, University of Messina, Italy. pergoste@solnet.it
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pergolizzi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Settineri
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ascenti
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blandino
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santacaterina
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frosina
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Renzis
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Pasquale
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaeta
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed