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Comparison of ^99mTc‐MIBI scintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy in the detection of occult lymph node metastases from cutaneous melanoma
European Journal of Dermatology. Volume 13, Number 5, 449-54, September 2003, Investigative report
Free Article
Author(s) : Omar ALONSO, Miguel MARTÍNEZ, Lucía DELGADO, Graciela LAGO, Cecilia JURI, Alejandra Larre BORGES, María C. LOPES DE AMORIM, Daniela DE BONI, José ESPASANDÍN, Julio PRIARIO
Summary : ^99mTc‐MIBI scintigraphy has been proposed as a technique that can diagnose clinically undetectable melanoma metastases. The aim of the study was to compare the sensitivity of ^99mTc‐MIBI with that of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in the detection of nodal disease. Twenty‐eight patients with melanoma > 1.0 mm thick were enrolled. Patients underwent ^99mTc‐MIBI scintigraphy and a preoperative lymphoscintigraphy followed by SNB. Sentinel nodes were identified in 27\\28 patients. Twelve patients had an involved sentinel node (SN), being ^99mTc‐MIBI positive in 10. No patient with negative SNB developed regional recurrence during the study. ^99mTc‐MIBI had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 93%. We conclude that SNB remains the procedure of choice for detecting subclinical lymph node involvement from melanoma. ^99mTc‐MIBI could have an alternative role in lymph node staging of patients who are not good candidates of SNB, that needs to be tested in appropriate trials.
Keywords : lymph node metastases, melanoma, scintigraphy, sentinel node, ^99mTc‐MIBI

Comparison of 99mTc‐MIBI scintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy in the detection of occult lymph node metastases from cutaneous melanoma

Comparison of ^99mTc‐MIBI scintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy in the detection of occult lymph node metastases from cutaneous melanoma