Intraoperative Gamma Probe Research Articles

Gamma probe guided surgery for osteoid osteoma: Is there any additive value of quantitative bone scintigraphy?

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of gamma probe guided osteoid osteoma surgery and the applicability of quantitative analyses obtained from preoperative bone scan images. Material and methodsThis study involved 12 osteoid osteoma patients who were treated with gamma probe guided surgery after preoperative bone scan. The calculated contrast ratios between nidus and adjacent healthy bone from preoperative bone scan and the calculated percentages of count reduction after resection of nidus during intraoperative gamma probe application were compared. Patients were followed up for any recurrence or complications. ResultsThe mean contrast ratio between nidus and adjacent healthy bone calculated from preoperative bone scan was 43.6% (range 33-53%). Following the nidus excision, an average of 55.8% (range 28-73%) count reduction was estimated with gamma probe in the tumor area. There was no correlation between preoperative scintigraphic contrast ratio and intraoperative gamma probe count reduction ratio (r = 0.46, p = 0.13). Complete cure was achieved in 11 (92%) patients with single operation, during the postoperative follow up period. None of the patients had any major or minor complications during or after the surgery. ConclusionsDue to high clinical success and low complication rate in osteoid osteoma surgery, gamma probe application is an effective and safe method that should be used more extensively in daily practice.

Comparison of SPECT-CT results and intraoperative detection of sentinel lymph nodes in endometrial cancer

The aim of the study was to compare the results of single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) with those of intraoperative gamma probe detection and assess the clinical utility of SPECT-CT for sentinel lymph node biopsy in endometrial cancer. We investigated 70 patients with endometrial cancer who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and sentinel lymph node biopsy (routine pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was additionally performed in high-risk patients). Tc-99m radiocolloid albumin was injected into the cervix and a blue dye was injected superficially into the fundus. SPECT-CT revealed hot spots in 64 patients (91.4%). The detection rates were 97.1 and 94.3% using the combined technique and the hand-held gamma probe, respectively. In 19 cases (27.1%) 35 hot spots detected on SPECT-CT were not diagnosed as sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) during surgery. In each patient with undetected hot spots located in the common iliac or para-aortic regions, hot SLNs were found during surgery in the obturator or external iliac region. In addition, SPECT-CT had detected 88.9% of the SLNs found during surgery. With respect to the 13 cases not detected on SPECT-CT, the hot SLNs had very low activity. Using the combined method, 95.1% of SLNs were found in typical locations (external iliac or obturator nodes). There were two metastatic nodes: one in SLN and one in nonsentinel node. SPECT-CT yields a high SLN detection rate; however, there is significant discrepancy in comparison with intraoperative findings, which limits its clinical utility. In addition, in the majority of cases SLNs are found in typical areas, which means that they can be reliably detected using an intraoperative gamma probe.

Application value of sentinel node biopsy in early stage oral tongue cancer with clinically negative neck

To evaluate the liability of sentinel node biopsy in the treatment of early stage oral tongue carcinoma with clinically negative neck. Eighteen patients with T1 or T2 oral tongue carcinoma were enrolled in the prospective study. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intra-operative hand-held gamma probe techniques were used to detect the sentinel lymph nodes. The sentinel lymph node biopsies were sent to frozen section pathology and the results were compared with specimen of routine selective neck dissection (I ∼ III or I ∼ IV). The accuracy of cervical metastasis prediction was compared between sentinel node biopsy and tumor thickness. Sentinel lymph nodes were identified in all 18 cases. The numbers of sentinel lymph nodes of level Ib, IIa and III were 6, 22 and 2, respectively. In this series, positive sentinel lymph nodes were revealed in 4 cases, which were also positive in the postoperative routine histology.In other cases, both sentinel lymph nodes and routine histology were negative. Both the sensitivity and specificity were 100%. Sentinel lymph node biopsy obviously improved the specificity of predicting cervical metastasis comparing with the tumor thickness. (100% vs. 36.4%). Sentinel node biopsy is effective and reliable in the treatment of early stage oral tongue cancer, and deserves clinical application.

Abstract 4671: Radioguided detection of lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Background: Lymph node staging provides the most important prognostic information in patients with loco-regional non-small cell lung cancer. We hypothesized that gamma radiation detection using an intra-operative hand-held gamma probe following intravenous 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) injection would identify lymph nodes containing metastases in a much more sensitive manner than standard pathological practices. We compared the accuracy of detecting thoracic lymph node metastases using positron emission tomography- computed tomography (PET-CT) versus the gamma probe. Methods: One hundred patients with resectable lung cancers had pre-operative positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and mediastinoscopy. 10mCi of FDG was injected on the day of surgery. A handheld gamma probe detected increased FDG uptake within thoracic lymph nodes during pulmonary resection procedures. The lymph nodes that demonstrated increased FDG uptake, but were non-malignant by conventional H&E staining underwent further serial sectioning, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction). Sensitivity and specificity for lymph node metastasis detection by PET-CT and the gamma probe were calculated. Results: Three patients had metastatic lymphadenopathy detected at mediastinoscopy, so their procedures were aborted, while the others proceeded to lung resection and complete lymphadenectomy. Fifteen additional patients had lymph node involvement on routine pathologic analysis. IHC and RT-PCR detected micrometastatic lymph node disease in 4 and 29 patients, respectively. Using RT-PCR as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of PET-CT for detection of lymph node metastasis were 11% and 98% respectively, in contrast to 38% and 50% respectively for the gamma probe. Conclusion: The intra-operative hand held gamma probe is more sensitive but less specific than PET-CT in detecting lymph node metastasis from lung cancer. Its overall accuracy was low, resulting in limited up-staging of patients. RT-PCR analysis of FDG-avid lymph nodes for epithelial markers increased the clinical utility of this probe in detecting micrometastasis. Such up-staged patients could derive a survival benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. More specific radioisotopes are being developed to improve the clinical utility of this technique. Citation Format: Chukwumere Nwogu, Todd Demmy, Sai Yendamuri, Wei Tan, Paul Bogner, Elisabeth Dexter, Anthony Picone, Mark Hennon, Alan Hutson, Mary Reid, Richard Cheney, Alex Adjei. Radioguided detection of lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4671. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4671

A biópsia de linfonodo sentinela não deve ser recomendada para pacientes portadores de melanoma espesso

To ascertain whether there is any relationship between the state of the sentinel lymph node histopathology, recurrence and mortality from thick melanoma in patients undergoing SLNB over a long follow-up. Eighty-six patients with thick melanoma undergoing SLNB were selected from a prospective database. Lymphoscintigraphy, lymphatic mapping and intraoperative gamma probe detection were performed in all patients. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) was analyzed by HE and immunohistochemistry. Complete lymphadenectomy was indicated for patients with positive sentinel node. The histopathological SLN status was related to the rate of recurrence and mortality from melanoma. One hundred and sixty-six SLNs were taken from the 86 patients. Ages ranged from 18 to 73 years. There were 47 women and 39 men. Micrometastases were found in 44 patients. Forty-two patients underwent complete lymphadenectomy. Seven other patients had positive lymph node. Among the 44 patients with positive sentinel node, there were 20 recurrences and 15 deaths. There were 18 recurrences and 12 deaths in the group with negative SLN. The Breslow thickness was not correlated with the histopathological SLN status. The histopathological SLN status did not affect the rates of recurrence and mortality (Fisher test, p = 1.00). The median follow-up was 69 months. Considering the lack of evidence of benefit, SLNB should not be indicated for patients with thick melanoma outside of clinical studies.

Advancing Image Guided Visualization of Cellular-based Vaccines, In Vivo, During Combined Radiation/Immunotherapy Protocols

Purpose/Objective(s): Previous work has attempted to utilize cell-based vaccines, administered intratumorally or otherwise, with or without radiotherapy, to encourage antigen presenting cells to process tumorassociated antigens and migrate to draining lymph nodes. The ability to monitor and evaluate immune cell (IC) migration in vivo may provide valuable information to enhance protocols combining radiation and immunotherapy. The purpose of this research is to describe a technique that allows for in vivo visualization of IC administered as part of treatment combining radiation and immunotherapy. Materials/Methods: ICs are labeled with 1mCi Indium Oxine or HMPAO in a class 100 environment. After washing, the radioactivity of the cells is measured. A gamma probe (US Surgical Navigator) with the window pre-set to optimize detection of Indium energy peaks is used for localization. The probe is held over target areas to noninvasively obtain baseline measurements of: the center of the tumor mass, tumor periphery, draining lymph nodes, and background tissue. Labeled ICs are administered via intratumoral injection under image guidance. Immediate post injection non-invasive measurements are obtained for the same sites. The patient is then imaged using a gamma camera (Siemens e-cam) at 20 minutes post injection and immediately prior to surgery. The camera has 20% windows at 171 kev and 245 kev Indium energy peaks. Images of the injection site, regional lymph node stations, and the area between the injection site and regional basins are acquired in at least two projections. Any sites identified with the gamma camera are marked using an indelible pen to assist further localization at the time of surgery. An intraoperative gamma probe is used to determine activity at the original target areas, as well as the tumor resection bed. The number of radioactive counts per 10 seconds within site is recorded. Results: In-vivo visualization of cell-based vaccine components has been accomplished safely during dual radiation/immunotherapy protocols. Time dependent changes in ratios of radioactivity for various sites, including tumor periphery to background, and lymph node to background, can be utilized as indicators of IC migration. Following correction for decay, the ratio of counts of cases performed at different times can be compared and correlated with the level of specific immune response. Conclusions: The ability to characterize cellular migration holds great potential for advancing future combinational treatment approaches; this technique to track and analyze immune cell movement into tissues may augment our knowledge of treatments such as Sipuleucel-T.

Differential Diagnosis of Atypical Parathyroid Adenoma and Parathyroid Carcinoma in a Case With Severe Hypercalcemia

Atypical parathyroid adenoma is among the tumors diagnosed difficultly and including some histological features of parathyroid carcinoma. In literature, no definite criteria have been considered to be present to distinguish atypical parathyroid adenoma preoperatively from parathyroid carcinoma. A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with complaints of arthralgia, myalgia, fatigue and loss of appetite. She had severe hypercalcemia (serum calcium 17.2 mg/dL) and hypophosphatemia (serum phosphate 1.9 mg/dL) along with an elevated intact parathyroid hormone level of 879 pg/mL. Renal functions were within normal limits. The patient was administered with intravenous hydration and diuretic treatments because of severe hypercalcemia. Six sessions of hemodialysis were performed. In neck ultrasonography, multinodular goitre was detected. Tc- 99m sestamibi scintigraphy revealed a focal involvement at the middle-inferior region of left thyroid lobe. Neck magnetic resonance imagination revealed a nodular lesion in size of 22 × 14 mm at the posterior region of left thyroid lobe. Parathyroidectomy guided by intraoperative gamma probe was performed. The lesion was histopathologically consistent with atypical parathyroid adenoma. In the postoperative period, serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone levels were decreased as levels of 7 mg/dL and 42.6 pg/mL, respectively. We reported an atypical parathyroid adenoma accompanied by severe hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism. J Med Cases. 2013;4(6):357-361 doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc1198w

A hand-held beta imaging probe for FDG.

Advances in radiopharmaceuticals and clinical understanding have escalated the use of intraoperative gamma probes in surgery. However, most probes on the market are non-imaging gamma probes that suffer from the lack of ancillary information of the surveyed tissue area. We have developed a novel, hand-held digital Imaging Beta Probe™ (IBP™) to be used in surgery in conjunction with beta-emitting radiopharmaceuticals such as (18)FDG, (131)I and (32)P for real-time imaging of a surveyed area with higher spatial resolution and sensitivity and greater convenience than existing instruments. We describe the design and validation of a hand-held beta probe intended to be used as a visual mapping device to locate and confirm excision of (18)FDG-avid primary tumors and metastases in an animal model. We have demonstrated a device which can generate beta images from (18)FDG avid lesions in an animal model. It is feasible to image beta irradiation in animal models of cancer given (18)FDG. This technology may be applied to clinical mapping of tumors and/or their metastases in the operating room. Visual image depiction of malignancy may aid the surgeon in localization and excision of lesions of interest.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma: Our 8-year clinical experience in a single French institute (2002–2009)

BackgroundSince the introduction of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), its use as a standard of care for patients with clinically node-negative cutaneous melanoma remains controversial. We wished to evaluate our experience of SLNB for melanoma.MethodsA single center observational cohort of 203 melanoma patients with a primary cutaneous melanoma (tumour thickness > 1 mm) and without clinical evidence of metastasis was investigated from 2002 to 2009. Head and neck melanoma were excluded. SLN was identified following preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe interrogation.ResultsThe SLN identification rate was 97%. The SLN was tumor positive in 44 patients (22%). Positive SLN was significantly associated with primary tumor thickness and microscopic ulceration. The median follow-up was 39.5 (5–97) months. Disease progression was significantly more frequent in SLN positive patients (32% vs 13%, p = 0.002). Five-year DFS and OS of the entire cohort were 79.6% and 84.6%, respectively, with a statistical significant difference between SLN positive (58.7% and 69.7%) and SLN negative (85% and 90.3%) patients (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0096 respectively). Postoperative complications after SLNB were observed in 12% of patients.ConclusionOur data confirm previous studies and support the clinical usefulness of SLNB as a reliable and accurate staging method in patients with cutaneous melanoma. However, the benefit of additional CLND in patients with positive SLN remains to be demonstrated.

81. Breast conserving surgery – Surgical technique

For the most patients with breast cancer surgery is the initial therapy. The patient with operable invasive breast cancer must be informed with the plan of treatment, the advantages and disadvantages. Possible surgery at this patients are: breast conserving surgery(BCS)with dissection of axillary lymph nodes and postoperative radiotherapy(RT),modified radical mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy with immediate or delayed reconstruction of the breast. BCS means: tumorectomy, tumorectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy(SLNB),tumorectomy with dissection of axillary lymph nodes, quadrantectomy with dissection of axillary lymph nodes, tumorectomy+SLNB+intraoperative RT. Indications for the BCS are:solitary tumor size to 3 cm but taking into account the relation volume cancer / tumor volume and about cosmetic effect, any quadrant, any type of cancer, clinically N0 and N1,patients decision. Absolute contraindications for BCS are: two or more tumors in different quadrants, tumor associated with suspected microcalcifications, preoperative RT, pregnancy, failure to achieve 'healthy' edge of the resection. Relative contraindications for BCS: collagen disease, vascular diseases, tumor up to 3 cm, experience of surgeon. Dissection of axillary lymph nodes has threefold significance: the diagnostic importance-internships most accurate assessment of disease for therapeutic approaches, the therapeutic importance-removing the lymph nodes removed a potential source of new metastatic spread, prognostic significance-status of regional lymph nodes is the most important predictor of prognosis. Concept of conservative surgical procedure are: satisfaction oncological principles- tumor excision with the healthy margins, testing of sentinel lymph node by combining preoperative scintigraphy, using vital blue dye and intraoperative gamma probe, dissection of axillary lymph nodes - standard (middle and lower level) and radical (apical lymph nodes),reconstruction of defects in the breast with intraglandulary lobes. Postoperative management means: transcutaneous radiotherapy to the tumor bearing, radiation of regional lymphatics, adjuvant hemio/hormonal therapy. This is a video presentation of surgical technique of quadrantectomy with dissection of axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. The special emphasis has been paid on the anatomy of the axillary pit, dissection and preservation vital neurovascular elements. Standard dissection of axillary lymph nodes does not significantly increase morbidity justified by our experience, which is our contribution to surgical technique of dissection level I and II. Functional dissection of axillary level I and II enables preservation of m.latissimus dorsi, m.pectoralis major and minor, axillary vein, axillary artery, plexus brachiocephalicus, v.mammaria externa, n.thoracicus longus and thoracodorsalis trunk.

A phantom assessment of portable imaging and radio-guided surgery systems with technetium-99m and fluorine-18

To perform a detailed analysis of the performance of mobile intraoperative imaging systems and gamma probes in a phantom set-up, and compare this with a conventional gamma camera. Two separate experiments were performed. In the first, a modified Jaszczak phantom equipped with five (99m)Tc-filled hot spheres (0.5-20 ml) was analyzed using Sentinella, declipseSPECT and a conventional gamma camera under three conditions: no background, spheres on the surface of the background activity, and totally immersed spheres (contrast level in both 1: 8). In the second experiment, two phantom spheres (0.5 and 2 ml) filled with (99m)Tc and (18)F (infinite contrast, 1: 4 and 1: 8) were measured using the hand-held probes Navigator and GammaLocator DXI. Data analysis consisted of signal-to-background ratios and determination of the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM). A visual scoring was performed by three nuclear medicine physicians. At infinite contrast, (99m)Tc-filled spheres with volumes of at least 2 ml could be detected adequately with all systems (e.g. 2 ml sphere, FWHM: ECAM 11 mm, declipseSPECT 9 mm, Navigator 13 mm, GammaLocator 12 mm). Under decreased contrast conditions, the results for all systems were impaired and the 0.5 ml phantom sphere filled with either (99m)Tc or (18)F was only detected accurately by the GammaLocator (FWHM range: 13-17 mm). All systems are suitable for intraoperative sentinel node detection with nearly infinite signal-to-background contrast. At a lower contrast, the GammaLocator performed best for the detection of small volumes at low-contrast ratios regardless of the radionuclide.

Reliability of sentinel node assay in vulvar cancer: The first Croatian validation trial

ObjectiveTo evaluate the reliability of sentinel node assay in early stage vulvar cancer patients by using preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. MethodsTechnetium-99m colloid albumin was injected intradermally around the tumor for lymphoscintigraphic mapping and intraoperative hand-held gamma probe detection of sentinel nodes. For all patients, sentinel node biopsy was followed by inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy, regardless of the sentinel lymph node status. ResultsFrom December 2008 until May 2011, 25 consecutive patients with T1 or T2 stage of vulvar squamous cell cancer were enrolled. The median age of patients was 69years (range, 48–79). The detection of sentinel lymph node was successful in all 25 patients. A total of 36 sentinel lymph nodes were harvested and metastatic carcinoma was identified in 12 sentinel nodes from 8 patients. There was 1 patient with metastatic non-sentinel lymph node despite the negative sentinel node. Two patients with negative sentinel nodes proven by routine histopathological examination were positive by immunohistochemical staining. The sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of sentinel node assay with immunohistochemistry included were 89%, 100%, and 94%, respectively. ConclusionsLymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymph node biopsy under gamma-detecting probe guidance proved to be an easy and reliable method for the detection of sentinel node in early vulvar cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis improves the sensitivity for the detection of regional micrometastases. The sentinel node assay is highly accurate in predicting the status of the remaining inguinofemoral lymph nodes. Our results indicate that patients best suited to SLN assay have had a simple punch biopsy to confirm the diagnosis rather than a previous tumor excision. This technique represents a true advance in the selection of patients for less radical surgery.

Sentinel lymph node mapping for T1 esophageal cancer.

7 Background: Extended radical esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection has been recognized as the standard procedure for thoracic esophageal cancer in Japan, even for clinically T1N0 cases. However, to eliminate the uniform application of the highly invasive surgery, we hypothesized that sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping would play a key role to obtain individual information and allows modification of the surgical procedure for early esophageal cancer. Methods: We have established radio-guided method to detect SLNs in patient with early esophageal cancer using endoscopic injection of technetium-99m tin colloid. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intra-operative use of hand held gamma probe were reliable to locate the radioactive SLNs. Intra-operative gamma probing was also feasible in thoracoscopic or laparoscopic surgery using a special gamma detector which is introducible from trocar ports. Results: SLN mapping has been performed for 70 patients with clinically N0 and early (pT1) esophageal cancer in our institute since 1999. Detection rate of hot node using our procedure was 94% (66/70). The mean number of sentinel nodes per case was 4.6. Twenty-one of 23 cases (91%) with lymph node metastasis showed positive SLNs. Accuracy of metastatic status based on SLN was 97% (64/66). SLNs widely spread from cervical to abdominal areas. In more than 80% of the cases, at least one SLN was located in the 2nd or 3rd compartment of regional lymph nodes. However, 56 (85%) of 66 patients had no lymph node metastasis or metastasis (+) only in SLNs. Conclusions: Our results suggest that SLN concept for clinically N0 and T1 esophageal cancer could be validated. Theoretically more than 80% of patients with pT1b esophageal cancer may be controlled by local treatments such as surgery and chemoradiotherapy targeting primary tumors plus their SLNs. Individualized selective and modified lymphadenectomy targeted on SLN basins for clinically N0 early esophageal cancer should become feasible and clinically useful as less invasive surgical procedures.

The Role of Intraoperative Gamma Probe and Parathyroid Hormone Measurement in the Localization of Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Adenoma

ABSTRACT In this case, we would like to introduce a case with intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma in which planar Tc-99m scintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe were insufficient but single photon emission computed tomography imaging and intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement were helpful in localizing the adenoma. How to cite this article Soydal C, Genc V, Araz M, Akyol C, Kucuk ON. The Role of Intraoperative Gamma Probe and Parathyroid Hormone Measurement in the Localization of Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Adenoma. World J Endoc Surg 2012;4(2):77-78.

Efficiency of Ultrasound and Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Preoperative Assessment of Axillary Lymph Node Metastases in Breast Cancer

PurposeWe performed this study to detect preoperative axillary metastases with ultrasound (US)-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), to eliminate the need for time-consuming and costly sentinel lymph node (SLN) scintigraphy and biopsy steps in the treatment of breast cancer patients, and in that of with suspicious US findings, and to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative US-guided FNAB for patients with suspicious lymph node metastases on US.MethodsPatients with a suspicious breast lump or histopathologically proven breast cancer underwent breast-axillary US. Increase in lymph node size, cortical thickening, non-hilar cortical flow, and hilar changes were evaluated with gray scale-color Doppler US. FNAB was performed if US results were suspicious for malignancy.ResultsThirty-eight axillary lymph nodes (ALN) underwent FNAB. ALN dissection, SLN scintigraphy, and biopsy steps were bypassed in 23 axillas with positive ALN FNAB (60.5%). The sensitivity of ALN FNAB was 88.46%; specificity and positive predictive value were 100%; and negative predictive value was 66.6% (inadequate cytology included; 76.7%, 100%, 100%, 53.3%, respectively). Asymmetrical cortical thickening, non-hilar cortical flow, and increase in hypoechogenity were only detected in metastatic nodes. Cortical thickening, and lymph node and breast mass size was higher in the metastatic group.ConclusionBy performing FNAB on suspicious lymph nodes, the routine, high-cost SLN scintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe steps may be skipped, and axilla dissection can be performed directly. This leads to the elimination of the need for SLN investigation in more than half of the patients. The assessment of ALN metastases with preoperative US-guided FNAB is a cost-effective method with high specificity, that eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming SLN scintigraphy and biopsy steps, and helps in preoperative staging.

SPECT-CT in breast cancer

The most important prognostic factors for breast cancer are the size of primary tumor and axillary lymph node status. Role of scintimammography with the cationic lipophilic 99mTc-Tetrofosmin and 99mTc-Sestamibi in preoperative evaluation and post-treatment follow-up of patients with breast cancer is well known. The added diagnostic value of SPECT-CT has recently been investigated. Scintigraphy provides a description of function or process whereas CT depicts the precise localization and type of morphological changes that have occurred in the lesions. Combined SPECT-CT imaging enables to localize positive primary tumors and/or loco-regional lymph nodes; to evaluate effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced and non-operable breast tumors. SPECT-CT studies are useful in post-therapeutic follow-up of patients to visualize suspicious local recurrence, lymphadenopathy and disease extension. CT part of the study can increase the specificity of SPECT by more accurate anatomical assessment of the sites of abnormal activity with unclear character such as radiation pulmonitis, postoperative parenchymal changes, fibrocystic changes etc. According to the results reported in literature, all the axillary metastatic nodes that were false negative on SPECT image were non-palpable, small lesion size (<10 mm) with partial metastatic involvement or micrometastases in most cases. Lymphatic mapping of SLNs is now routinely done in breast cancer patients for correct N-staging. SPECT-CT has been used for clear depiction of the SLNs to provide the useful information for intraoperative gamma-probe detection in cases that are difficult to interpret planar images, in cases with unusual drainage or in cases of nonvisualization. SPECT-CT scintimammogarphy is preferable in terms of physical characteristic, execution time and cost-effectiveness, thus suggesting wider application of this procedure. SPECT-CT is a potential new tool for LN localization and radioguided surgery in the coming years.

The effect of the excisional biopsy in the detection of the sentinel lymph node by lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe in breast cancer.

Objective: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) scintigraphy is used widespread in breast cancer, but the effect of the radionuclide agent, injection technique, the method of biopsy, tumor localization, breast size remain controversial. We examined the effects of the excisional biopsy in the rate of the SLN identification with lymphoscintigraphy (LS) and intraoperative gamma probe (IGP).Material and Methods: One hundred patients (age range: 28-79 yr) with breast cancer were included in the study. They consisted of two groups: Group 1; there were 58 patients without excisional biopsy Group 2; there were 42 patients with excisional biopsy LS: 2 hours before the operation, 37 MBq/ ml Tc 99m colloidal rhenium sulphide was injected at the periaerolar region intradermally Anterior and lateral static images were acquired. IGP: The hot spot of greatest radioactivity were marked on the skin during the surgery with IGP and removed. Excised SLNs were examined with frozen section. After that histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed.Results: SLNs were found in all patients in group 1 (100%), in 39 patients of group 2 (93%) with LS. SLNs were excised in 57 of the 58 patients of group 1 (98%), in 38 of the 42 patients of group 2 (90%) with IGF. Metastases were found in SLNs in 27 patients (28%). Axillary dissection was performed in these patients.Conclusion: According to results of our study the excisional biopsy was not the only factor but also other factors such as breast mass, calcified or metastatic lymph node may be affected the success rate of the SLN. Conflict of interest:None declared.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy with a gamma probe in patients with high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Lymphoscintigraphy (LS) and sentinel lymph node biopsy have become the standard of care for melanoma and breast cancer. However, the data on patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are limited. We aimed to evaluate and identify the role of LS and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with high-risk cutaneous SCC. Nineteen patients (13 men, six women; 47-87 years of age, mean age 67.5 ± 12.3) with SCC were included in the study. LS was performed on all patients after intracutaneous injection of Tc-99m nanocolloid. Primary lesions and sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) were excised with the help of a gamma probe. A total of 26 SLNs and 32 secondary lymph nodes were imaged on LS and were marked. During surgery, 29 SLNs, 21 secondary lymph nodes and three nonactive lymph nodes were excised. In total, 53 lymph nodes were removed surgically. A histopathological study revealed that all lymph nodes were negative for metastasis. Patients were followed up for an average of 41.1 ± 22.2 months (7-80 months). Until the time of data collection, 14 patients were alive and had no regional lymph node or distant metastasis. Local recurrence was seen in only one patient. He was reoperated upon 38 months ago. The feasibility of determining SLNs using LS and an intraoperative gamma probe in patients with cutaneous SCC was shown. Unnecessary elective lymph node dissection and possible complications could be avoided in 19 patients.

Multimodal imaging and detection approach to 18F-FDG-directed surgery for patients with known or suspected malignancies: a comprehensive description of the specific methodology utilized in a single-institution cumulative retrospective experience

Background18F-FDG PET/CT is widely utilized in the management of cancer patients. The aim of this paper was to comprehensively describe the specific methodology utilized in our single-institution cumulative retrospective experience with a multimodal imaging and detection approach to 18F-FDG-directed surgery for known/suspected malignancies.MethodsFrom June 2005-June 2010, 145 patients were injected with 18F-FDG in anticipation of surgical exploration, biopsy, and possible resection of known/suspected malignancy. Each patient underwent one or more of the following: (1) same-day preoperative patient diagnostic PET/CT imaging, (2) intraoperative gamma probe assessment, (3) clinical PET/CT specimen scanning of whole surgically resected specimens (WSRS), research designated tissues (RDT), and/or sectioned research designated tissues (SRDT), (4) micro PET/CT specimen scanning of WSRS, RDT, and/or SRDT, (5) total radioactivity counting of each SRDT piece by an automatic gamma well counter, and (6) same-day postoperative patient diagnostic PET/CT imaging.ResultsSame-day 18F-FDG injection dose was 15.1 (± 3.5, 4.6-26.1) mCi. Fifty-five same-day preoperative patient diagnostic PET/CT scans were performed. One hundred forty-two patients were taken to surgery. Three of the same-day preoperative patient diagnostic PET/CT scans led to the cancellation of the anticipated surgical procedure. One hundred forty-one cases utilized intraoperative gamma probe assessment. Sixty-two same-day postoperative patient diagnostic PET/CT scans were performed. WSRS, RDT, and SRDT were scanned by clinical PET/CT imaging and micro PET/CT imaging in 109 and 32 cases, 33 and 22 cases, and 49 and 26 cases, respectively. Time from 18F-FDG injection to same-day preoperative patient diagnostic PET/CT scan, intraoperative gamma probe assessment, and same-day postoperative patient diagnostic PET/CT scan were 73 (± 9, 53-114), 286 (± 93, 176-532), and 516 (± 134, 178-853) minutes, respectively. Time from 18F-FDG injection to scanning of WSRS, RDT, and SRDT by clinical PET/CT imaging and micro PET/CT imaging were 389 (± 148, 86-741) and 458 (± 97, 272-656) minutes, 619 (± 119, 253-846) and 661 (± 117, 433-835) minutes, and 674 (± 186, 299-1068) and 752 (± 127, 499-976) minutes, respectively.ConclusionsOur multimodal imaging and detection approach to 18F-FDG-directed surgery for known/suspected malignancies is technically and logistically feasible and may allow for real-time intraoperative staging, surgical planning and execution, and determination of completeness of surgical resection.

Changing paradigms in radioguided surgery and intraoperative imaging: the GOSTT concept

Ever since the first descriptions as an aid for sentinel lymph node biopsy in the early 1990s [1, 2], interest in radioguided surgery has been rising sharply and continues to do so with respect to both the number of articles published in the medical literature and the amount of procedures performed. In Europe, lymphoscintigraphic imaging procedures for sentinel lymph node biopsy have markedly increased, by about 17.5%, between the years 2005 and 2008 (source: European Association of Nuclear Medicine), a period during which single photon imaging procedures in general were expected to remain substantially stable or actually show some decline attributed to competition by the growing number of positron emission tomography (PET) studies. Several reasons can be envisaged to explain the popularity of radioguided surgery. In particular, prior to the introduction of intraoperative radioguidance, professional skills and dexterity of surgeons had to build on the a priori knowledge of anatomy and while in the operation theatre primarily rely on two senses, sight and palpation. Introducing intraoperative gamma probe counting has forced surgeons to integrate a third sense, hearing, in addition to the prior two. In fact, this “upgrade” proved to be very convenient; the increasing intensity and pitch of the sound as a function of increasing count rates was adopted as a primary guide for the surgeon, in order not to distract him/her from focusing on the surgical field while performing gamma probe exploration, as a solution more superior than observing the numerical display of the count rates [3]. Another important reason for the wide acceptance of the radioguided surgery concept can be attributed to alignment and synergy with current trends of oncological surgery adopting less aggressive and invasive approaches; in this regard, the possibility of identifying with highest accuracy those patients who can be spared unnecessary lymph node dissection (a procedure fraught with a high incidence of morbidity and long-term complications) is certainly a crucial asset that radioguided sentinel node biopsy has brought about in clinical practice, concerning especially early breast cancer and cutaneous melanoma [4, 5]. The success of radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with breast cancer or with cutaneous melanoma, where this technique has now become an integral part of the standard of care [6], has driven countless clinical trials aimed at validating the same approach in the management of other solid tumours [7]. J. J. Zaknun (*) Section of Nuclear Medicine, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 5 Wagramerstrasse, PO Box 200, Room A-2278, 1400 Vienna, Austria e-mail: J.Zaknun@iaea.org