The EANM practical guidelines for sentinel lymph node localisation in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Francesco Giammarile,Thomas Schwarz,Wim J G Oyen,Domenico Rubello,Rodolfo Nuñez Miller,Diana Paez,Mark Mcgurk,Clare Schilling,Fijis W B Van Leeuwen,Renato A Valdés Olmos,Chandrasckhar Bal,Girolamo Tartaglione,Gopinanth Gnanasegaran,Roberto C Delgado Bolton

doi:10.1007/s00259-018-4235-5

Abstract

PurposeSentinel lymph node biopsy is an essential staging tool in patients with clinically localized oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. The harvesting of a sentinel lymph node entails a sequence of procedures with participation of specialists in nuclear medicine, radiology, surgery, and pathology. The aim of this document is to provide guidelines for nuclear medicine physicians performing lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel lymph node detection in patients with early N0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.MethodsThese practice guidelines were written and have been approved by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to promote high-quality lymphoscintigraphy. The final result has been discussed by distinguished experts from the EANM Oncology Committee, and national nuclear medicine societies. The document has been endorsed by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).These guidelines, together with another two focused on Surgery and Pathology (and published in specialised journals), are part of the synergistic efforts developed in preparation for the “2018 Sentinel Node Biopsy in Head and Neck Consensus Conference”.ConclusionThe present practice guidelines will help nuclear medicine practitioners play their essential role in providing high-quality lymphatic mapping for the care of early N0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Highlights

Preamble These practice guidelines for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in early N0 oral squamous cell cancer endorsed by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) aim to promote the use of nuclear medicine procedures of high quality
The accurate harvesting of a sentinel lymph node (SLN) in oral squamous cell cancer entails a sequence of procedures with components from different medical specialties, including nuclear medicine, radiology, surgery, and pathology
The overall health of the patient should be carefully evaluated prior to SLNB to determine if they have sufficient reserve to undergo two surgical procedures within a short period of time

Summary

Methods

These practice guidelines were written and have been approved by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to promote high-quality lymphoscintigraphy. Preamble These practice guidelines for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in early N0 oral squamous cell cancer endorsed by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) aim to promote the use of nuclear medicine procedures of high quality. These documents, together with another two focused on Surgery and Pathology (and published in specialised journals), are part of the synergistic efforts developed in preparation for the “2018 Sentinel Node Biopsy in Head and Neck Consensus Conference”. The sole purpose of these guidelines is to assist practitioners in achieving these objectives

Introduction

Background and definitions

Discussion

Limitations

Findings

Compliance with ethical standards