title: Sentinel node biopsy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx: a diagnostic meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to systematically assess the accuracy of a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in cT1/T2N0 oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched electronic databases, including EMBASE and MEDLINE (Pubmed) up to November 7 2012, by combining oral cancer keywords with sentinel node biopsy keywords. We included diagnostic accuracy studies which used neck dissection as a reference test for the sentinel node biopsy. Study characteristics and measures of accuracy were extracted. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated from 2 × 2 tables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  21 Studies (847 patients) could be included. Most of these patients had oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). The pooled data showed an overall sensitivity of 0.93 [95% CI 0.90-0.95]. Subgroup analysis showed no significant differences in subgroups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high sensitivity of SLNB supports a role in the diagnostic work-up of OCSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operating Rooms, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. T.Govers@ok.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Tim M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Govers
authors.forename: Gerjon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hannink
authors.forename: Matthias A W
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Merkx
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Takes
authors.forename: Maroeska M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rovers
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
keywords: Meta analysis; Oral cavity; Oropharynx; Sentinel lymph node biopsy; Squamous cell cancer