Feasibility of the detection of the sentinel lymph node in peripheral non-small cell lung cancer with radio isotopic and blue dye techniques.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in peripheral clinically stage I or II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using (99m)Tc colloid and a hand-held gamma detection probe, associated with a blue dye technique.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK; and Hopital Nord, Saint Etienne, France.


METHODS
After thoracotomy, a total of 2 mL patent blue dye mixed with 1,600 muCi (99m)Tc-albumin or (99m)Tc-colloid was injected into each quadrant of lung tissue immediately surrounding the tumor. Routine lymphadenectomy was carried out. The first lymph nodes to stain blue or radioactive, if any, were considered SLNs.


RESULTS
Twenty-four patients were evaluated. We successfully identified 17 SLNs in 13 patients (detection rate, 54.2%). Mean time from injection to identification of SLNs was 18 min (range, 5 to 30 min). In nine cases, the SLN was blue and radioactive, in six cases only blue, and in two cases only radioactive. The pathologic status of the SLN reflected the pathologic status of other nodes of the routine lymphadenectomy except one case of false-negative SLN (14%). Four SLNs were in N2 stations (23.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
The sentinel node mapping in NSCLC with blue dye and radioisotopic techniques is feasible, but the detection rate has to be improved. This technique is an accurate method of identifying the first node draining a tumor, although it is not yet sufficiently sensitive to have a role in reducing the extent of nodal dissection.
Tiffet
Olivier
O
FRCS, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP, UK. p.goldstraw@rbh.nthames.nhs.uk
Nicholson
Andrew G
AG
Khaddage
Abir
A
Prévot
Nathalie
N
Ladas
George
G
Dubois
Francis
F
Goldstraw
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015902:Gamma Cameras; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; C008769:sulfan blue