Feasibility of sentinel node biopsy in head and neck melanoma using a hybrid radioactive and fluorescent tracer.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This study was designed to examine the feasibility of combining lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative sentinel node identification in patients with head and neck melanoma by using a hybrid protein colloid that is both radioactive and fluorescent.

Methods

Eleven patients scheduled for sentinel node biopsy in the head and neck region were studied. Approximately 5 h before surgery, the hybrid nanocolloid labeled with indocyanine green (ICG) and technetium-99m ((99m)Tc) was injected intradermally in four deposits around the scar of the primary melanoma excision. Subsequent lymphoscintigraphy and single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) were performed to identify the sentinel nodes preoperatively. In the operating room, patent blue dy

SUBMITTER: Brouwer OR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3356513 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature