MELANOMA LYMPHOSCINTIGRAPHY FOR SENTINEL LYMPH NODE LOCALIZATION

DATE: 10/03/05

PROCEDURE:  Multiple intradermal injections of 99m Tc sulfur colloid (1 cc total volume) were made surrounding the lesion site.  Anterior and lateral projection images of the chest were subsequently obtained.  A hand-held gamma probe was also used to mark the site of sentinel lymph node on the skin surface.  At the end of the procedure, the probe was supplied to the general surgery service for intraoperative localization of the sentinel node.

INJECTION SITE: [...]

RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL DOSE: [0.5] mCi

TIME OF IMAGING (HOURS POST INJECTION): [...]

CLINICAL HISTORY: The patient is a [...]-year-old [fe]male with [...] melanoma. The patient is referred to Nuclear Medicine for sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy.

FINDINGS: Intense tracer activity is seen at the tracer injection site in the [...]. 

A cluster of [...] foci are observed immediately [...] to the injection sites that is likely consistent with sentinel lymph nodes.

A small focus is identified in [...] that is consistent with a sentinel lymph node. 

Using gamma probe guidance this area was marked for subsequent surgical biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS: A sentinel lymph node is identified in the [...]. Using gamma probe guidance this node was marked for surgical biopsy.

Thank you for referring this patient to the UCLA Nuclear Medicine Clinic.

I, [...], M.D., Ph.D., have reviewed this Nuclear Medicine study personally, and am in full agreement with the findings of the report presented here.