Lymphoscintigraphy in malignant melanoma

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Annals of Plastic Surgery; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00000637-199201000-00010· OSTI ID:7014118

Berman, C G; Norman, J; Cruse, C W; Reintgen, D S; Clark, R A ^[1]

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1. Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL (United States)

The development and rationale for the use of lymphoscintigraphy in the preoperative evaluation of patients with malignant melanoma being considered for elective lymph node dissection is reviewed. This overview is updated by an analysis of 135 patients with early stage malignant melanoma involving the head, neck, shoulders, and trunk at Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute at the University of South Florida (Tampa, FL). High discordancy rates (overall, 41%) were seen between drainage patterns predicted from historical anatomical guidelines and those revealed by the lymphoscintigraphic examination. The high discordancy rate was most pronounced in the head (64%) and the neck (73%). Surgical management was changed in 33% of the patients, overall. A preoperative lymphoscintigram is recommended for all patients with melanoma with head, neck, and truncal lesions evaluated for elective lymph node dissection as the lymphatic drainage patterns are often unpredictable and variable.

• OSTI ID: 7014118
• Journal Information: Annals of Plastic Surgery; (United States), Journal Name: Annals of Plastic Surgery; (United States) Vol. 28:1; ISSN APCSD; ISSN 0148-7043
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BODY
BODY AREAS
CARCINOMAS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DECISION MAKING
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
EPITHELIOMAS
FLORIDA
HEAD
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
MEDICINE
MELANOMAS
METASTASES
NECK
NEOPLASMS
NORTH AMERICA
PATIENTS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
SCINTISCANNING
SURGERY
USA