title: Injection of (99m)Tc-labeled sulfur colloid the day before operation for breast cancer sentinel lymph node mapping is as successful as injection the day of operation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated whether the timing of injection of (99m)Tc-labeled sulfur colloid (radiocolloid) significantly influenced the success of breast cancer sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of a prospective SLN database. Five hundred forty-six consecutive breast SLN mapping patients were analyzed. A dual radiocolloid/blue dye technique was used in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The SLN identification rate was similar among those patients injected the day prior (100%) and those injected the day of operation (99%, P = 0.14). A "hot" SLN was identified in 99% of patients injected the day prior and in 97% (P = 0.17) injected the day of operation. The mean number of SLNs was greater among those injected the day prior (2.71) than among those injected the day of operation (2.33, P = 0.01). There were no differences in the rates of SLN metastases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiocolloid injection the day before operation is an acceptable and logistically advantageous technique for breast cancer SLN mapping.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Surgical Oncology, CB Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA. gray.richard@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Pockaj
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Roarke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid