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Cancer research

Localization of Sentinel Lymph Node in Tongue Carcinoma via Indirect CT Lymphography

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study has shed light on the effective localization of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) in tongue carcinoma using a combination of indirect computed tomography lymphography (CT-LG) with methylene blue dye injection. The research, conducted by H. Wu and colleagues at Fudan University in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, aimed to investigate the accuracy of SLN location in tongue VX2 carcinoma. The study involved 18 rabbits divided into three groups: metastasis, hyperplasia, and control.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers used indirect CT-LG with an iohexol injection into the tongue submucosa to visualize the SLN, followed by methylene blue dye injection to confirm the location.
  • The identification rate of SLNs using CT lymphography was 100%, with filling defects only observed in the ipsilateral metastatic SLNs of the metastasis group.
  • The metastatic lymph node attenuation values were significantly greater than those of the control or hyperplastic nodes at 5 minutes (p<0.05) and 15 minutes (p<0.05) after iohexol injection.
  • The studyConclusion suggested that metastatic lymph node attenuation values can be used as an indicator of metastasis in tongue VX2 carcinoma.
  • The researchers concluded that the combination of indirect CT-LG and methylene blue dye injection can accurately locate the SLN in tongue carcinoma.

Statistics:

  • 18 rabbits were used in the study, divided into three groups: metastasis (6), hyperplasia (6), and control (6).
  • The identification rate of SLNs using CT lymphography was 100%.
  • The metastatic lymph node attenuation values at 1, 5, and 15 minutes after iohexol injection were 687.4ֲ55.6 HU, 535.1ֲ86.6 HU, and 282.3ֲ19.4 HU, respectively.
  • The control rabbits had enhanced SLN attenuation values of 689.2ֲ55.4 HU, 278.4ֲ33.5 HU, and 71.7ֲ9.2 HU at 1, 5, and 15 minutes after injection, respectively.
  • The hyperplastic rabbits had values of 877.4ֲ69.4 HU, 352.5ֲ43.3 HU, and 80.2ֲ11.5 HU.

Sources:

  • Acta Oto-laryngologica (Localization of the sentinel lymph node in tongue VX2 carcinoma via indirect CT lymphography combined with methylene blue dye injection. Acta Oto-laryngologica, 2010;130(4):503-10).
  • Fudan University, EENT Hospital, Dept. of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
  • Taylor & Francis Group Ltd, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxford OX14 4RN United Kingdom.

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