Added value of the hybrid tracer indocyanine green-99mTc-nanocolloid for sentinel node biopsy in a series of patients with different lymphatic drainage patterns

Abstract

IntroductionIndocyanine green (ICG)-99mTc-nanocolloid is a novel hybrid fluorescent radioactive tracer for sentinel node (SN) biopsy. This study has aimed to evaluate the added value of this novel versatile tracer in a series of patients with different malignancies. Material and methodsTwenty patients (with penile carcinoma, oral cavity tumors, melanoma) were consecutively included between March and May 2012. Planar lymphoscintigraphy was performed 15min and 2h after injection of ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid followed by SPECT/CT. Blue dye (1ml) was injected in 14 patients in surgery room. Intraoperatively, SNs were localized using a gamma probe and visualized by optical SN-detection using blue dye and fluorescence imaging. Finally, a portable gamma camera was used to confirm complete SN removal. ResultsAt least one SN was identified by SPECT/CT in all patients. All SNs (total 68, 100%) were excised using a combination of radio- and fluorescence guidance: 89.7% were intraoperatively localized with the gamma probe. The remaining SNs, located near the injection site, were localized using fluorescence imaging. During the surgery, 97% of the SNs were fluorescent while only 39.2% were stained blue. Ex vivo, all SNs were both radioactive and fluorescent. The SN was positive in 5 patients. ConclusionSynchronous radio- and fluorescence guided SN biopsy is feasible using ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid. This hybrid approach combines the beneficial properties of both modalities. Adding fluorescence imaging improves optical SN detection compared to blue dye. It has been shown to be especially useful in the localization of SNs near the injection site.