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Breast sentinel lymph node navigation with three-dimensional computed tomography–lymphography: a 12-year study

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the utility of three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT)−lymphography (LG) breast sentinel lymph node navigation in our institute.

Patients and methods

Between 2002 and 2013, we preoperatively identified sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in 576 clinically node-negative breast cancer patients with T1 and T2 breast cancer using 3D CT–LG method. SLN biopsy (SLNB) was performed in 557 of 576 patients using both the images of 3D CT–LG for guidance and the blue dye method.

Results

Using 3D CT–LG, SLNs were visualized in 569 (99 %) of 576 patients. Of 569 patients, both lymphatic draining ducts and SLNs from the peritumoral and periareolar areas were visualized in 549 (96 %) patients. Only SLNs without lymphatic draining ducts were visualized in 20 patients. Drainage lymphatic pathways visualized with 3D CT–LG (549 cases) were classified into four patterns: single route/single SLN (355 cases, 65 %), multiple routes/single SLN (59 cases, 11 %) single route/multiple SLNs (62 cases, 11 %) and multiple routes/multiple SLNs (73 cases, 13 %). SLNs were detected in 556 (99.8 %) of 557 patients during SLNB.

Conclusion

CT–LG is useful for preoperative visualization of SLNs and breast lymphatic draining routes. This preoperative method should contribute greatly to the easy detection of SLNs during SLNB.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Digestive Surgery and Surgical Oncology (Department of Surgery II), Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minamikogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan

    Shigeru Yamamoto, Kazunari Maeda, Noriko Maeda, Kiyoshi Yoshimura & Masaaki Oka

  2. Department of Radiology, St. Hill Hospital, Yamaguchi, Japan

    Kazuyoshi Suga

Authors
  1. Shigeru Yamamoto
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  2. Kazuyoshi Suga
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  3. Kazunari Maeda
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  4. Noriko Maeda
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  5. Kiyoshi Yoshimura
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  6. Masaaki Oka
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shigeru Yamamoto.

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Yamamoto, S., Suga, K., Maeda, K. et al. Breast sentinel lymph node navigation with three-dimensional computed tomography–lymphography: a 12-year study. Breast Cancer 23, 456–462 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-015-0584-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-015-0584-0

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