title: Lymphatic Path of the Inguinal Lymph Node Metastases in Anorectal Cancer: The Springbok Pattern.
abstract: Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been established as a feasible and effective method for defining the inguinal node status in patients with anal adenocarcinoma exceeding the dentate line. We present the axial lymphoscintigraphic image that depicts thoroughly the injection site around the anus, the lymphatic path, and the inguinal sentinel lymph nodes, bilaterally. The distinct springbok pattern was named after the unique horn shape of the African gazelle. This image puts on the map the anoinguinal lymphatic path and highlights the need for complete inguinal lymph node and related lymphatic path dissection in metastatic anal cancer.
authors.affiliation: From the *4th Surgical Clinic, and †Nuclear Medicine Section, 2nd Department of Radiology, Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gemenetzis
authors.forename: Vassiliki D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Lyra
authors.forename: Sofia N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Chatziioannou
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Smyrniotis
authors.forename: Pantelis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vassiliu
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000368:Aged; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging