Predictive factors of preoperative sentinel lymph node detection in intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: In endometrial cancer (EC), sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has emerged as an alternative to systematic lymphadenectomy. Little is known about factors that might influence SLN preoperative detection. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical and technical variables that may influence on the success of SLN detection in preoperative lymphatic mapping in patients with intermediate and high-risk EC when performing transvaginal ultrasound-guided myometrial injection of radiotracer (TUMIR). METHODS: Between March 2006 and March 2017, we prospectively enrolled patients with histologically confirmed EC with intermediate or high-risk of lymphatic involvement. All women underwent SLN detection by using TUMIR approach. After radiotracer injection, pelvic and abdominal planar and SPECT/CT images were acquired to obtain a preoperative lymphoscintigraphic mapping. Pattern of drainage was registered and analyzed to identify the factors directly involved in drainage. Sonographer learning curves to perform TUMIR approach were created following Cumulative Sum and Wright methods. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. RESULTS: During study period, 123 patients were included. SLN preoperative detection rate was 70.7%. Age under 75 years at diagnosis (P<0.01), radiotracer injection above 4 mL -high-volume- (P<0.01), and tumoral size below 2 cm (P=0.04) were associated with higher SLN preoperative detection rate. Twenty-five procedures were necessary to attain an adequate performance in TUMIR approach. CONCLUSIONS: The higher SLN preoperative detection rate in women with intermediate and high-risk endometrial cancer after TUMIR approach was related with younger age, smaller tumors and high-volume injection of radiotracer. Sonographers are required to perform 25 procedures before acquiring an expertise in radiotracer injection.

Role of ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid for sentinel lymph node detection in cervical cancer: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can be used for nodal staging in early cervical cancer. For this purpose, the tracers most commonly used are radiotracers based on technetium. For the last decade, indocyanine green (ICG) has been used as a tracer for SLNB in other malignancies with excellent results and, more recently, a combination of ICG and a radiotracer has been shown to have the advantages of both tracers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid in SLN detection in patients with cervical cancer. METHODS: This prospective study included 16 patients with cervical cancer. The hybrid tracer was injected the day (19-21 h) before surgery for planar and SPECT/CT lymphoscintigraphy. Blue dye was administered periorificially in 14 patients. SLNs were removed according to their distribution on lymphoscintigraphy and when radioactive, fluorescent and/or stained with blue dye. Nodal specimens were pathologically analysed for metastases including by immunochemistry. RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT showed drainage in all patients. A total of 69 SLNs were removed, of which 66 were detected by their radioactivity signal and 67 by their fluorescence signal. Blue dye identified only 35 SLNs in 12 of the 14 patients (85.7%). All patients showed bilateral pelvic drainage. Micrometastases were diagnosed in two patients, and were the only lymphatic nodes involved. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB with ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid is feasible and safe in patients with early cervical cancer. This hybrid tracer provided bilateral SLN detection in all patients and a higher detection rate than blue dye, so it could become an alternative to the combined technique.

Comparison of two different vitamin D supplementation regimens with oral calcifediol in kidney transplant patients.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) and recommendations on how to replenish vitamin D deposits are scarce. AIM: To evaluate, in KTR, the safety and efficacy of calcifediol in two different vitamin D supplementation regimens, in order to assess the most suitable dose. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study with two calcifediol supplementation regimens randomly prescribed by clinicians in liquid form, at 266 mcg doses, monthly or biweekly. We analyzed 168 KTR with a functioning allograft for more than 6 months. Patients receiving other vitamin D forms, calcimimetics or bisphosphonates were excluded. Before calcifediol initiation (pre-treatment levels) and after at least 3 months of treatment (post-treatment levels), we measured serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium (sCa), phosphate (sPO4) and creatinine (sCreat). RESULTS: In the monthly group (n = 72), 25(OH)D levels increased from 14 ng/ml [interquartile range, IQR 9-22] at baseline to 31 [20-38] (p = 0.000), PTH decreased from 124 pg/ml [87-172] to 114 [78-163] (p = 0.006), while sCa and sPO4 remained stable. In the biweekly group (n = 96), 25(OH)D increased from 14 ng/ml [9-20] at baseline to 39 [28-52] (p = 0), PTH decreased from 141 pg/ml [95-221] to 112 [90-180] (p = 0.000), sCa remained stable and sPO4 increased from 3.3 ± 0.6 mg/dl to 3.5 ± 0.6 (p = 0.003). Renal function remained stable in both groups. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D reposition with oral calcifediol, in a biweekly or monthly regimen, is safe and effective in improving 25(OH)D blood levels and in decreasing PTH in kidney transplant recipients.

Monthly ibandronate versus weekly risedronate treatment for low bone mineral density in stable renal transplant patients.

INTRODUCTION: Bisphosphonates may aid in treating and preventing bone loss promoted by chronic immunosuppressive treatment and secondary hyperparathyroidism in renal transplant (RT) patients. However, the effectiveness of bisphosphonates is compromised by poor patient compliance. The objective of the study was to compare the effects of once monthly ibandronate with those of weekly risedronate administration on bone mineral density (BMD) and renal function in RT patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were prospectively recruited who were at least 12 months post-RT and were treated with either oral ibandronate 150 mg monthly (n=35) or oral risedronate 35 mg weekly (n=34). At baseline and 1 year, creatinine, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, and i-parathyroid hormone were measured, and BMD was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Group I consisted of 35 patients (28 women) treated with ibandronate who were of a mean age of 63±12 years. Group II consisted of 34 patients (30 women) treated with risedronate who were of a mean age of 64±10 years. Lumbar BMD was as follows: baseline T-score (group I vs. group II) of -1.7±0.8 versus -1.9±0.8 (P=NS); and annual T-score of -1.3±0.6 versus -1.4±0.8 (P=NS). After 1 year, lumbar BMD improved to reveal a T-score of -1.3±0.6 in the ibandronate group (P<0.01) and -1.4±0.8 in the risedronate group (P<0.01). Femoral BMD was as follows: baseline T-score (group I vs. group II) of -2.1±0.7 versus -2.2±0.6 (P=NS); and annual T-score of -1.8±0.9 versus -1.8±0.8 (P=NS). Cortical bone also improved in both groups, but results were not statistically significant. No changes in renal function and no adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION: In RT patients with low BMD, no difference in effects on BMD, renal function, or adverse effects were observed between monthly oral ibandronate and weekly oral risedronate administration.

SPECT-CT and intraoperative portable gamma-camera detection protocol for sentinel lymph node biopsy in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate a multimodality approach to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) detection with lymphoscintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT). When combined with intraoperative imaging by a portable gamma camera (PGC), improved SLNB accuracy and detection rate may result. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 42 patients selected for SLNB in node-negative T1 and T2 oral squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. The detection protocol consisted of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT performed the day before surgery. Intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection was done with the aid of a PGC in association with hand-held gamma probe. RESULTS: All SLN detected in the preoperative study could be harvested except for one case. A total of 131 SLN were resected. This number was higher than the SLN depicted on lymphoscintigraphy (119 SLNs) and SPECT/CT (123 SLNs). Sublingual SLNs were observed in two cases (4.76%). These SLNs were detected by SPECT/CT but not by lymphoscintigraphy. Five (3.8%) additional SLNs not previously visualized on lymphoscintigraphy or on SPECT/CT were detected intraoperatively with the aid of the PGC. Positive SLNs were detected in eight cases (19%). Micrometastases were detected in five cases (62%) and macrometastases in three cases (38%). CONCLUSION: The SLNB detection protocol described contributes to more accurate study and detection.