A histological assessment of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (2010) abnormal categories: a series of 219 consecutive cases.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to establish the distribution of thyroid lesions that were seen in Hatay (a province of southern Turkey), to review the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules and to correlate the FNAC results with the histopathology of the excised specimens, especially in indeterminate cases. METHODS: Data on patient cytology were retrieved by a retrospective search of all thyroid FNAC specimens that had been evaluated at the Department of Pathology, Antakya Public Hospital, Hatay, Turkey between January 2009 and February 2011; 1021 thyroid FNAC samples were reviewed and interpretations were recorded according to the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (TBSRTC). The results of adequate FNAC samples were compared with the histological diagnoses in the cases in which surgery was performed, and the malignancy rates, especially in indeterminate categories, were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 1021 FNAC samples, 697 (68.3%) were benign, 122 (11.9%) were non-diagnostic, 100 (9.8%) were atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), 41 (4%) were follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN), 36 (3.5%) were suspicious for malignancy (SM) and 25 (2.4%) were malignant. In 219 cases, there was follow-up histology. Rates of malignancy were as follows: benign, 0%; AUS/FLUS, 12.7%; FN/SFN, 35.0%; SM, 91.4%; malignant, 100%. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the cytohistological correlation of benign and malignant lesions was 100%. In the indeterminate categories, we recommend that clinicians should evaluate both the clinical and radiological findings of patients in addition to the FNAC results.

Is anterior segment OCT superior to slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination for Kayser Flesicher ring in Wilson's disease?

OBJECTIVE: Detection of the Kayser-Fleischer (KF) ring in the diagnostic scoring and treatment follow-up of Wilson's Disease (WD) is important. Slit lamp (SL) biomicroscopic examination has traditionally been used in the evaluation of the KF ring. The role of Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT), which is used in various corneal diseases, in the detection of KF rings has attracted attention in recent years. In our study, we tried to demonstrate the effectiveness of AS-OCT in detecting the KF ring by comparing it with SL biomicroscopic examination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 64 of 356 patients followed in our outpatient clinic due to WD were included in the study in the order of their admission to the outpatient clinic. The KF ring was evaluated in both eyes by SL-biomicroscopic examination and AS-OCT. Ophthalmic examination, and findings were performed by the same physician. RESULTS: Age range was 18-67 years, mean 33.06±10.83 years, gender was 39.1% (n: 25) female. At the time of diagnosis, the mean age was 19.48 ± 9.36 years, range was minimum 5 years and maximum 51 years. Clinical presentation was mixed type involvement n: 18 (28.1%), hepatic involvement n: 32 (50%), neurological involvement n: 14 (21.9%). The follow-up period was 2-257 months (74.6±76.16). The presence of KF ring was evaluated together with both AS-OCT and slit-lamp examination, the presence of KF could be detected in both AS-OCT and SL biomicroscopic examination in 10 patients (15.6%), in 12 (18.8%) of the cases KF ring is positive in AS-OCT but was negative in Slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination, in 65.6 (n: 42) of the cases OCT and slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination results were negative. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of AS-OCT in detecting the KF ring was higher than the slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination. AS-OCT can detect early stage of KF rings in Wilson's Disease patients, so that diagnosis and treatment accuracy can be evaluated effectively.

Post-trabeculectomy choroidal detachment: not an adverse prognostic sign for either visual acuity or surgical success.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of choroidal detachment (CD) following trabeculectomy and to evaluate its effect on long-term surgical success and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). METHODS: A total of 253 eyes of 198 subjects who underwent trabeculectomy between 1993 and 2003 with at least 1 year follow-up were reviewed retrospectively. Twenty-eight eyes of 28 subjects which developed CD postoperatively were classified as Group 1 and the remaining 225 eyes of 170 subjects as Group 2. The risk factors for the development of CD and the influence of CD on BCVA and on the success of trabeculectomy were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In Group 1, preoperative BCVA was significantly lower and cup to disc ratio and the frequency of pseudoexfoliative glaucoma were higher with respect to the control group (p=0.009, p=0.01, p=0.02). The correlations between the development of CD and postoperative findings such as shallowing of the anterior chamber, hypotony, hypotonic maculopathy, hyphema, and fibrin reaction in the anterior chamber were statistically significant.CD was not associated with a significant reduction of BCVA. Intraocular pressures at postoperative first day, sixth month, and first year were lower in Group 1. The success of trabeculectomy and the average number of medications used were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: CD following trabeculectomy occurred in 11% of our patients. CD was not associated with either a significant drop in BCVA or an adverse influence on long-term IOP control.

Radial keratotomy for the optical rehabilitation of mild to moderate keratoconus: more than 5 years' experience.

PURPOSE: To present the authors' long-term experience of radial keratotomy (RK) for the optical rehabilitation of patients with mild to moderate keratoconus--central corneal thickness of greater than 400 microm and without apical scarring. METHODS: In this observational, noncomparative series of cases, all consecutive patients with mild or moderate keratoconus, treated by RK between 1990 and 2002, with at least 1 year follow-up were included. A total of 170 eyes of 96 patients were investigated. Mean follow-up was 42.08 +/- 28.14 months. Visual acuity, refraction, corneal curvature, central corneal thickness, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: In all of the control visits, mean uncorrected and best spectacle corrected visual acuities were better than preoperative values (p<0.0001). Preoperative myopic spherical refraction decreased significantly (p<0.0001), and remained relatively unchanged throughout the follow-up (p=0.43). A small but statistically significant decrease from baseline was ob-served in astigmatism (p=0.038), which almost disappeared 1 year after the surgery (p=0.47). The surgery produced a statistically significant flattening of the corneal curvature (p<0.0001). Central corneal thickness did not change significantly (p>0.05) in either control visit. In 33 eyes (19.4%), re-deepening of the incisions was required. In 3 eyes (1.8%) penetrating keratoplasty was performed, due to disease progression in 2 eyes (1.2%) and acute traumatic hydrops in 1 eye (0.6%). In 4 eyes (2.2%) microperforation, in 2 eyes (1.2%) macroperforation, in 1 eye (0.6%) infectious keratitis, and in 1 eye (0.6%) hyperopic shift occurred. CONCLUSIONS: RK surgery was found to be a reasonable option for the rehabilitation of a selected group of keratoconus patients in the early or moderate stages.

[CT-guided resection of pulmonary metastases]. / CT-gesteuerte Resektion pulmonaler Metastasen.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and potential use of intraoperative computed tomography (IOP CT) as guidance for video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients with peripheral intrapulmonary nodules underwent a thoracoscopy with IOP CT. Solitary lesions were known in 6/15 patients (40 %, group II) whereas 9/15 (60 %, group I) patients had multiple lesions (n >/= 2). IOP CT was performed with the mobile CT scanner Philips Tomoscan M. Radiologists intraoperatively placed percutaneous marks of lung lesions after unsuccessful VATS by use of a lung marker set (Somatex, Teltow, Germany). VATS was performed under general anaesthesia and with double lumen endotracheal intubation for single lung ventilation. Imaging quality and imaging of pulmonary nodules were rated. RESULTS: IOP CT was evaluated as feasible combined with VATS. Thoracotomy was avoided in 5/15 patients where lesions could not be detected by VATS. A CT-guided biopsy was performed in two patients after an unsuccessful attempt of thoracoscopy. There were no documented side effects. CONCLUSION: First clinical results suggest that a combination of VATS and IOP CT is feasible. Thus, the number of open thoracoscopies might be decreased. Intrapulmonary lesions not detectable with VATS could be marked under CT -- guidance intraoperatively and then resected by thoracoscopy.

Central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure relationship in eyes with and without previous LASIK: comparison of Goldmann applanation tonometer with pneumatonometer.

PURPOSE: To investigate central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) relationship in eyes with and without previous corneal laser refractive surgery and to compare the estimates of two different tonometers-Goldmann applanation and pneumatonometer. METHODS: The study population included 234 glaucoma suspects who were referred to the glaucoma clinic with cup/disc ratios greater than 0.4, asymmetric cupping, and/or IOP greater than 22 mmHg during routine eye examination. Of those, 84 had previous myopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) (Group 1) while 150 of them did not (Group 2). CCT was measured by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and IOP with both Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and pneumatonometer (PT). In both groups, the difference between IOP estimates of two different tonometers and the relationship between CCT and IOP were analyzed. RESULTS: In eyes with previous LASIK, GAT measured IOP significantly lower than PT (mean difference of 3.8+/-1.9 mmHg, p<0.0001). In eyes with virgin corneas, IOP estimates of GAT or PT were not different from each other (19.9+/-2.8 versus 19.9+/-2.2 mmHg, respectively, p=0.81). In both groups, there was a significant positive correlation between CCT and IOP estimates of GAT(R=0.29, p=0.007 in eyes with LASIK and R=0.38, p<0.0001 in those without), while no similar relationship was present between CCT with those of PT (R=0.03, p=0.76 in eyes with LASIK and R=0.03, p=0.69 in those without). CONCLUSIONS: In eyes with previous LASIK, GAT measured IOP significantly lower than PT. Because IOP estimates of PT were found to be independent from CCT in all of the study eyes, this device was considered to be a more reliable method of IOP estimation than GAT in eyes with and without previous LASIK.

Posterior capsule opacification 3 years after implantation of an AcrySof and a MemoryLens in fellow eyes.

PURPOSE: To compare the rates of lens epithelial cell (LEC) migration and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) 1 and 3 years after sutureless small incision phacoemulsification and in-the-bag implantation of 2 acrylic polymer intraocular lenses (IOLs)-the AcrySof and MemoryLens-in fellow eyes of patients. SETTING: Eye Clinic, Beyoglu Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. METHODS: Fifty patients with no systemic or ocular problems that would interfere with postoperative visual acuity were included in this prospective study. Each patient had in-the-bag implantation of an AcrySof IOL in 1 eye and a MemoryLens in the fellow eye in a randomized fashion after uneventful phacoemulsification through a sutureless clear corneal incision. RESULTS: At 1 year (n = 32 patients), there was no significant difference between fellow eyes in postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and contrast sensitivity. In the MemoryLens group, 10 eyes (31.3%) had PCO and 9 (28.1%), LEC migration. In the AcrySof group, no eye had PCO and 2 eyes (6.3%) had LEC migration (P <.001). At 3 years (n = 21 patients), 1 eye (4.7%) in the AcrySof group had PCO and 3 eyes (14.4%) had LEC migration without PCO. In the MemoryLens group, 1 eye (4.7%) had a clear posterior capsule, 11 eyes (52.4%) had LEC migration, and 9 eyes (42.9%) had PCO (P <.001). A neodymium:YAG capsulotomy was required in 4 eyes (19.0%) in the MemoryLens group but no eye in the AcrySof group. At 3 years, BCVA was lower in the MemoryLens group than in the AcrySof group (P <.05). CONCLUSION: The 3 year clinical data of fellow eyes indicate that the AcrySof IOL causes less PCO than the MemoryLens.

Capsular tension ring implantation after capsulorhexis in phacoemulsification of cataracts associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Intraoperative complications and early postoperative findings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of an endocapsular tension ring in preventing zonular complications during phacoemulsification of cataracts associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. SETTING: Eye Clinic of Beyoglu Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. METHODS: A prospective randomized study comprised 78 eyes with cataract and pseudoexfoliation syndrome that were randomly divided into 2 groups. The age, sex, cataract density, iridodonesis, axial length, anterior chamber depth, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were matched between groups. In 39 eyes, a capsular tension ring (CTR) was implanted after capsulorhexis and hydrodissection but before nucleus emulsification. Thirty-nine eyes that did not have a CTR implanted served as a control. The main outcome measures were the rates of intraoperative zonular separation and capsular fixation of a foldable intraocular lens (IOL). Posterior capsule rupture without zonular dialysis, vitreous loss, corneal edema, fibrin in the anterior chamber, BCVA, and IOP in the immediate postoperative period were also compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Five eyes (12.8%) in the control group and no eye in the CTR group had intraoperative zonular separation (P =.02). Posterior capsule rupture without zonular separation occurred in 3 eyes (7.7%) in the control group and 2 (5.2%) in the CTR group. Capsular IOL fixation was achieved in 37 eyes (94.9%) in the CTR group and 31 eyes (74.3%) in the control group (P =.012). The difference in BCVA was not statistically significant between the 2 groups (P =.44); however, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was significantly better in the CTR group (P =.026). CONCLUSION: In cases of cataract associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, implanting a CTR before phacoemulsification of the nucleus reduced intraoperative zonular separation, increased the rate of capsular IOL fixation, and improved UCVA.

Influence of scan radius correction for ocular magnification and relationship between scan radius with retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measured by optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To investigate how optical coherence tomography (OCT) modifies the preset scan parameters to correct the errors resulting from ocular magnification, the influence of examiner's final correction of those already modified parameters on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements, the induced change on RNFL thickness measurements and RNFL estimated integrals (RNFL(estimated integrals)) by adjusting the actual scan radius during RNFL examinations performed by OCT. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy patients underwent an RNFL examination by OCT four times using different scan radii. The first scan was performed with the preset circular scan diameter of 3.46 mm; the actual scan diameter was different, however, because it was modified by the OCT instrument. The second, third, and fourth scans were generated after readjusting the already modified scan diameter by the examiner to 3.46, 3.20, and 3.60 mm. The relationship of axial length and refractive error with the actual scan radius (with ocular magnification calculated by OCT), with the influence of the examiner's final correction on RNFL thickness measurements, with the relationship between scan radius with RNFL thickness measurements, and with RNFL(estimated integrals) were investigated. RESULTS: The actual scan diameter was found to be primarily determined by axial length (R = 0.97, P < 0.0001), but the influence of refractive error was small (R = -0.26, P = 0.067). Final correction of the actual scan radius by the examiner had a significant influence on RNFL thickness measurements (P = 0.025). RNFL thickness measurements obtained without correction of the actual scan radius for magnification were found to be inversely correlated with axial length (R = -0.54, P = 0.001), whereas no similar relationship was found when RNFL thickness measurements were obtained with correction (R = 0.21, P = 0.11). A reciprocal relationship between 1/scan radius with RNFL thickness measurements (they tended to be thinner as scan radii were increased) was found (R = 0.41, P = 0.169), but RNFL(estimated integrals) areas were found to be independent of the scan radius (P = 0.521). CONCLUSION: To increase the accuracy of RNFL thickness measurements, it will be appropriate for the examiner to manually correct the actual scan parameters to the desired or preset ones after their automatic modification performed by the OCT instrument. Keeping the actual scan radius constant for repeated exams is also recommended because RNFL thickness measurements were found to depend on scan size. Alternatively, RNFL(estimated integrals) could be used because they were found to be independent of the scan size.

Endoscopic goniotomy with anterior chamber maintainer: surgical technique and one-year results.

The surgical technique of endoscopic goniotomy (EG) using the anterior chamber maintainer (ACM) for congenital glaucoma is evaluated, and one-year follow-up data are presented. Endoscopic goniotomy was performed in 12 eyes of 7 patients. A double-port-special goniotomy knife mounted on the endoscope's probe inserted through the first incision and ACM through the second incision-EG technique was used in 6 eyes of 3 patients, while a three-port-knife, endoscope probe, and ACM inserted through separate incisions-technique was preferred in the remaining 6 eyes of 4 patients. EG of approximately 240 degrees could be done without major complications in all eyes. At the end of the average follow-up period of 14.2 +/- 9.7 months, the mean intraocular pressure was reduced from 38.3 +/- 6.9 mm Hg to 17.6 +/-, 2.8 mm Hg (P = 0.002), the average number of glaucoma medications from 2.1 +/- 0.3 to 0.3 +/- 0.5 (P = 0.001), and the mean cup/disk ratios from 0.84 +/- 0.11 to 0.79 +/- 0.14 (P = 0.014), while there was no statistically significant change in the average corneal diameter (P = 0.16). Therefore, endoscopic goniotomy with ACM was found to be an effective treatment modality for congenital glaucoma.

Outcome of metastatic breast cancer in selected women with or without deleterious BRCA mutations.

The aim of this study was to compare the time-to progression and overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with and without deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations. 195 women with MBC who were referred for BRCA genetic testing between 1997 and 2011 were included in the study. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazards models were fit to determine the associations between clinical variables and outcomes. Of 195 women with MBC, 21 % (n = 41) were positive for BRCA1/2 mutations. The number of metastatic sites at the time of metastatic disease was not different between BRCA1 versus BRCA2 carriers versus non-carriers (P = 0.77). The site of first metastasis was visceral-only in 70 % of BRCA1 carriers compared to 9 % in BRCA2 carriers and 37 % in non-carriers (P = 0.001). Median follow-up was 2.8 years. BRCA non-carriers and BRCA2 carriers had a longer time-to progression and OS compared to BRCA1 carriers (median time-to progression = 1.3 vs. 0.9 vs. 0.7 years; P = 0.31, and median OS = 4.88 vs. 4.94 vs. 1.34 years; P = 0.0065). In a multivariate model, no association was identified between BRCA positivity and time-to-event outcomes (P > 0.28). In addition, patients with triple-negative MBC carried a poorer prognosis irrespective of their BRCA status (P = 0.058 and P = 0.15 for the interaction term of BRCA status and triple-negative for time-to progression and OS, respectively). Our data indicate that BRCA1 carriers diagnosed with MBC have worse outcomes compared to BRCA2 carriers and non-carriers. However, the differences in outcome did not reach statistical significance likely due to small sample sizes.

The effects of posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis on contrast sensitivity.

PURPOSE: We aimed at evaluating the effects of posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC) on contrast sensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, bilateral clinical study, 40 eyes of 20 patients who underwent bilateral cataract surgery were included. The phacoemulsification machine, viscoelastic substances, surgical tools, and intraocular lenses (IOLs) were the same for both eyes. The only difference was that we conducted the PCCC procedure before IOL implantation to one of the eyes of the patients. The selection of the eye that underwent the PCCC procedure was decided randomly. RESULTS: The mean photopic contrast sensitivity values at spatial frequencies of 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cpd (cycles per degree) were 41.55, 59.90, 61.25, 32.35, and 9.75, respectively, and for the control group these values were 39.05, 56.60, 57.95, 29.80, and 8.75, respectively. The mean mesopic contrast sensitivity values at special frequencies of 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cpd were 41.20, 54.75, 55.55, 31.70, and 9.00, respectively, and for the control group these values were 38.35, 51.70, 52.15, 30.05, and 8.00, respectively. The mean contrast sensitivity values of the eyes that underwent the PCCC procedure were slightly better than the fellow eyes at all spatial frequencies, but the difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In early post-operative period, the PCCC procedure exerts some positive effects on contrast sensitivity although these effects are statistically insignificant.

Radial keratotomy for the optical rehabilitation of mild to moderate keratoconus: More than 5 years experience.

PURPOSE: To present the authors long-term experience of radial keratotomy (RK) for the optical rehabilitation of patients with mild to moderate keratoconus central corneal thickness of greater than 400 m and without apical scarring. METHODS: In this observational, noncomparative series of cases, all consecutive patients with mild or moderate keratoconus, treated by RK between 1990 and 2002, with at least 1 year follow-up were included. A total of 170 eyes of 96 patients were investigated. Mean follow-up was 42.08 28.14 months. Visual acuity, refraction, corneal curvature, central corneal thickness, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: In all of the control visits, mean uncorrected and best spectacle corrected visual acuities were better than preoperative values (p<0.0001). Preoperative myopic spherical refraction decreased significantly (p<0.0001), and remained relatively unchanged throughout the follow-up (p=0.43). A small but statistically significant decrease from baseline was ob-served in astigmatism (p=0.038), which almost disappeared 1 year after the surgery (p=0.47). The surgery produced a statistically significant flattening of the corneal curvature (p<0.0001). Central corneal thickness did not change significantly (p>0.05) in either control visit. In 33 eyes (19.4%), re-deepening of the incisions was required. In 3 eyes (1.8%) penetrating keratoplasty was performed, due to disease progression in 2 eyes (1.2%) and acute traumatic hydrops in 1 eye (0.6%). In 4 eyes (2.2%) microperforation, in 2 eyes (1.2%) macroperforation, in 1 eye (0.6%) infectious keratitis, and in 1 eye (0.6%) hyperopic shift occurred. CONCLUSIONS: RK surgery was found to be a reasonable option for the rehabilitation of a selected group of keratoconus patients in the early or moderate stages.

Central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure relationship in eyes with and without previous lasik - Comparison of Goldmann applanation tonometer with pneumatonometer.

PURPOSE: To investigate central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) relationship in eyes with and without previous corneal laser refractive surgery and to compare the estimates of two different tonometersGoldmann applanation and pneumatonometer. METHODS: The study population included 234 glaucoma suspects who were referred to the glaucoma clinic with cup/disc ratios greater than 0.4, asymmetric cupping, and/or IOP greater than 22 mmHg during routine eye examination. Of those, 84 had previous myopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) (Group 1) while 150 of them did not (Group 2). CCT was measured by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and IOP with both Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and pneumatonometer (PT). In both groups, the difference between IOP estimates of two different tonometers and the relationship between CCT and IOP were analyzed. RESULTS: In eyes with previous LASIK, GAT measured IOP significantly lower than PT (mean difference of 3.81.9 mmHg, p<0.0001). In eyes with virgin corneas, IOP estimates of GAT or PT were not different from each other (19.92.8 versus 19.92.2 mmHg, respectively, p=0.81). In both groups, there was a significant positive correlation between CCT and IOP estimates of GAT (R=0.29, p=0.007 in eyes with LASIK and R=0.38, p<0.0001 in those without), while no similar relationship was present between CCT with those of PT (R=0.03, p=0.76 in eyes with LASIK and R=0.03, p=0.69 in those without). CONCLUSIONS: In eyes with previous LASIK, GAT measured IOP significantly lower than PT. Because IOP estimates of PT were found to be independent from CCT in all of the study eyes, this device was considered to be a more reliable method of IOP estimation than GAT in eyes with and without previous LASIK. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2005; 15: 81-8).

Odontogenic myxoma containing osteocement-like spheroid bodies: report of a case with an unusual histopathological feature.

The odontogenic myxoma is a rare, benign, but locally invasive tumour of the jaws. Radiographically, it is a bone destroying lesion and has ill-defined borders. Histological characteristics are spindle and stellate-shaped tumour cells and a distinct myxomatous stroma. Bony islands that represent residual trabeculae are found scattered throughout the lesion. This report describes a case of odontogenic myxoma that shows diffusely dispersed osteocement-like spherular calcified bodies, unlike residual bone trabeculae, and discusses its differential diagnosis.

Sentinel lymphonodectomy in gastrointestinal cancer--where are we now?

Up to now, no reliable methods for the pre- or intraoperative prediction of the nodal status are available in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Therefore, after the successful application of the sentinel lymph node concept in melanoma and breast cancer, ongoing research on this field is extended to gastrointestinal tumor entities. According to recent experiences, the most promising tumor entities are colon, gastric and anal cancer. First results with these patients indicate that the method could be a reliable predictor of the nodal status and, thus, may have important future implications for adjuvant therapy and the extent of surgery. The dye method for colon cancer and the combined method (dye and radiocolloid) for gastric cancer seem to be appropriate approaches, even when the general experience is still low. In rectal cancer, however, current experience failed yet to yield satisfying results. Up to now, anal cancer has not been a focus of publication, even when the concept seems to be very attractive for the evaluation of the inguinal lymph node status.