title: Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with breast cancer using superparamagnetic iron oxide and a magnetometer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some hospitals lack facilities for radioisotopes in sentinel node biopsy. A novel method is used with a superparamagnetic tracer and a magnetometer instead of a radioisotope.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients were included in the study after obtaining IRB approval. Superparamagnetic iron oxide and patent blue dye were injected in the subareolar breast tissue. Following a few minutes of massage to promote migration of the iron tracer and blue dye throughout the lymphatic vessels, the axillary lymph nodes were detected transdermally using a handheld magnetometer and followed by standard axillary dissection in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 30 patients evaluated, sentinel lymph nodes were identified in 90% (27/30) using both blue dye and magnetic tracer. Sentinel lymph nodes were identified using the magnetic method in 23/30 (77%) and blue dye in 24/30 (80%). There was one false-negative sentinel node, resulting in an overall sensitivity of 6/7 (86%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to use a magnetic tracer to identify sentinel lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. This new technique may alter the role of radioisotopes with further refinement and experience.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oyama Municipal Hospital, Oyama, Japan. shiozawa@jichi.ac.jp
authors.forename: Mikio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shiozawa
authors.forename: Alan T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Lefor
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hozumi
authors.forename: Katsumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: Naohiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sata
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Moriaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kusakabe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D060306:Magnetometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C000499:ferric oxide; C008769:sulfan blue