Intraoperative injection of technetium-99m sulfur colloid is effective in the detection of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Our objective was to determine if intraoperative injection of technetium-99m-labeled sulfur colloid is as effective as preoperative injection in the detection of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs).


METHODS
Two hundred consecutive patients with breast cancer underwent SLN biopsy examination. Radiocolloid was injected in the preoperative area (group A) or immediately after induction of anesthesia in the operating room (group B).


RESULTS
The SLN detection rate was similar for groups A (96%) and B (100%; P = .2). Radioactive SLNs were detected in 95% of patients in group A and in 97% of patients in group B (P = .1). The mean number of SLNs harvested was 1.6 and 2.1 for groups A and B, respectively. There was no significant difference in positive SLNs between groups (P = .11).


CONCLUSIONS
Intraoperative injection of sulfur colloid is highly effective in the detection of SLNs, avoiding patient discomfort and surgical schedule delays.
Dauphine
Christine E
CE
Department of Surgery, Section of Surgical Oncology, 1000 W. Carson St., Box 25, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
Khalkhali
Iraj
I
Vargas
M Perla
MP
Isaac
Nova M
NM
Haukoos
Jason
J
Vargas
Hernan I
HI
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid