title: Axillary web syndrome following sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer.
abstract: A 49 year-old woman diagnosed with infiltrating lobular breast carcinoma, underwent a right mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy (SLNB). The resected sentinel lymph nodes were negative for malignancy, with an axillary lymphadenectomy not being performed. In the early post-operative period, the patient reported an axillary skin tension sensation, associated with a painful palpable cord. These are typical manifestations of axillary web syndrome (AWS), a poorly known axillary surgery complication, from both invasive and conservative interventions. By presenting this case we want to focus the attention on a pathological condition, for which its incidence may be underestimated by not including it in SLNB studies. It is important for nuclear medicine physicians to be aware of AWS as a more common complication than infection, seroma, or lymphoedema, and to discuss this possible event with the patient who is consenting to the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España. Electronic address: sniemal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nieves Maldonado
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pubul Núñez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Argibay Vázquez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Servicio de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macías Cortiñas
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España.
authors.forename: Á
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Ruibal Morell
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013577:Syndrome
keywords: Axillary web syndrome; Biopsia selectiva del ganglio centinela; Breast cancer; Complicaciones posquirúrgicas; Cáncer de mama; Post-operative morbidity; Selective sentinel node biopsy; Síndrome de web axilar