Efficacy of Gamma Camera Used Intraoperatively for ID of Sentinel Lymph Nodes w/ Lymphoscintigraphy

Lymphoscintigraphy is an accepted and commonly-performed procedure used for staging of certain cancers, especially melanoma and breast cancer. It involves injecting a small amount of radioactivity under the skin in order to identify lymph nodes which should be biopsied (ie, the "sentinel lymph node, SLN") to determine if cancer has spread. The study objective was to evaluate the potential benefit of a new, camera-based technology (prototype device) which allows actual images to be obtained intra-operatively in the identification of sentinel nodes.

Each device was assessed for relative node detection sensitivity (S), defined as the proportion of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) that were identified with each instrument, with the proportion determined as the number of true positives (TP) divided by the total evaluated (N).

Inclusion criteria

• Malignancy for which sentinel node biopsy with lymphoscintigraphy are indicated as part of the standard of care for tumor staging
• Age 18 or greater.
• Healthy enough for surgery
• Able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

• No exclusion requirements due to co-morbid disease or intercurrent illness.
• Documented allergy to colloid.
• Lymphoscintigraphy presents excessive high risk, eg, a consideration if pregnant or lactating