Lymphoscintigraphic abnormalities in the contralateral lower limbs of patients with unilateral lymphedema.

OBJECTIVE: The contralateral limbs of patients with unilateral lymphedema in the lower limbs (LLs) can exhibit abnormal lymphatic circulation, even in the absence of lymphedema. This idea is based on a number of reports that have studied isolated cases using lymphoscintigraphy. It is likely that these patients previously had some form of lymphopathy, and the lymphedema arose after the action of some external factor. However, there are no studies in the literature that adequately assess the asymptomatic contralateral limbs of these patients or address the prevalence and characteristics of the abnormal lymphatic circulation in these limbs. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of abnormal lymphatic circulation in the asymptomatic contralateral limbs of patients with unilateral lymphedema of the LL. METHODS: Forty-three patients from the angiology and vascular surgery ward of the Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco with unilateral lymphedema of the LL underwent lymphoscintigraphy. All patients received a subcutaneous injection of 0.2 mL (74 MBq) of a solution of dextran 70 labeled with technetium Tc 99m in the first interdigital space of each foot. Images were obtained on two occasions: 10 minutes and 1 hour after the injection. The study design was transversal prospective. RESULTS: Among the 43 asymptomatic LLs, 30 (70%) showed abnormal lymphatic circulation. The lymphoscintigraphic abnormalities found were the following: reduced visualization of the lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes during 1 hour (83%), collateral circulation (30%), visualization of the inguinal and pelvic lymph nodes after at least 1 hour (30%), visualization of the popliteal lymph nodes (20%), dilation and lymphatic tortuosity (20%), and dermal backflow (10%). CONCLUSIONS: In this study,70% of the patients with unilateral lymphedema of the LL had some form of lymphopathy in the contralateral limb during the lymphoscintigraphic examination. These findings could favor the early treatment of these patients to prevent the disease from progressing to its most severe stage.

Lymphatic Function in the Early Postoperative Period of Breast Cancer Has No Short-Term Clinical Impact.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate by lymphoscintigraphy the lymphatic function in the preoperative period up to 2 months after surgery for breast cancer, and the relationship between the lymphatic function with clinical features and physical complications. METHODS: One hundred and five women were studied before and 2 months after surgery to treat breast cancer. On each occasion, inspection and palpation of surgical wound, upper limb circumference, and lymphoscintigraphy were performed. Lymphatic function analysis consisted of velocity of axillary lymph node (LN) visualization; intensity of LN uptake; collateral circulation; dermal backflow; and hepatic uptake. RESULTS: In the postoperative period, there was a significant worsening of the degree of LN uptake (p = 0.0003) and in the velocity of LN visualization (p = 0.01). No significant differences in dermal backflow (p = 0.4) and collateral circulation (p = 0,07) were observed. There was a significant increase in liver absorption (p = 0.0002). 37.1% of the patients developed seroma, 11.2% dehiscence, and 25.8% infection. No relationship was found between lymphoscintigraphy changes and postoperative complications or clinical characteristics. CONCLUSION: Lymphoscintigraphy, performed 60 days post surgery for breast cancer, can detect a worsening in lymphatic drainage and some sign of lymphatic changes. These changes are not related to clinical characteristics and physical complications.

SPECT-CT-Guided Thoracoscopic Biopsy of Sentinel Lymph Nodes in the Internal Mammary Chain in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the use of single-photon emission computed tomography fused with computed tomography (SPECT-CT) on thoracoscopic biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in the internal mammary chain in patients with breast cancer by evaluating resultant changes in staging and their clinical implications. METHODS: Between September 2010 and January 2014, we performed lymphoscintigraphy-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy of the internal mammary chain SLN in 20 patients with breast cancer. Single-photon emission computed tomography fused with computed tomography was also used in 13 of these patients. The sentinel nodes were surgically identified with the aid of a gamma probe. RESULTS: Sentinel lymph nodes were identified surgically in 19 of 20 patients. In the 13 patients in whom SPECT-CT was used, it readily identified SLNs, especially when they were located over an intercostal space. Change of staging occurred in three patients (15%), two of whom accordingly received adjuvant radiotherapy to the internal thoracic chain. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with lymphoscintigraphy alone, the use of SPECT-CT improves localization of the SLN in the internal mammary chain, allowing more accurate planning of each individual's treatment.

Role of SPECT-CT in breast cancer sentinel node biopsy when internal mammary chain drainage is observed.

INTRODUCTION: SPECT-CT in the detection of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) of breast cancer offers known advantages over conventional planar lymphoscintigraphy. Sometimes, it shows atypical findings like mediastinal lymphatic drainage. We have evaluated these atypical findings showed by SPECT-CT performed in patients with migration to the internal mammary chain (IMC) and their roles in the management of the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the 56 lymphoscintigraphies (planar and SPECT-CT) of 56 women (average age: 55 years) diagnosed with breast cancer with IMC migration observed in the planar images. We compared the two techniques, obtaining the number of depicted nodes, atypical locations, their exact anatomical location and their role in the management of the patient. RESULTS: Planar images showed a total number of 81 IMC nodes. SPECT-CT showed 74 nodes in the IMC territory and 14 mediastinal lymphatic nodes in 6 patients. Out of the 81 IMC nodes reported by planar images, seven corresponded to mediastinal nodes. Planar and hybrid images showed 110 and 130 axillary nodes, respectively. SPECT-CT showed additional findings in five patients: three infraclavicular and two supraclavicular nodes that were exactly located. One intramammary node was discarded by the SPECT-CT as a focal skin contamination. CONCLUSION: Mediastinal nodes are unexpected, but not uncommon findings that are important in the planning of SLN biopsy. SPECT-CT found more nodes than planar images, being able to separate mediastinal and IMC nodes, helping to exactly depict the SLN and its relations with anatomical structures.

Vulvar cancer surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Surgical treatment of vulvar cancer has been shifted from ultraradical procedures associated with huge morbidity to less extensive surgery with better psychosexual result and less morbidity, without compromising survival. The authors review and discuss the recent literature regarding the surgical management of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. RECENT FINDINGS: Surgery remains the cornerstone in the treatment of vulvar cancer. Radical vulvectomy with inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy has been replaced by radical local excision with sentinel node procedure for early disease. However, the role and distance of pathological margins are still on debate. Recent results from a large prospective trial corroborate the safety of sentinel node biopsy for early disease, even after primary tumor resection. An experienced team should perform sentinel node procedure using combined technique (blue dye and lymphoscintigraphy) and ultrastaging pathology. Moreover, midline tumors still need lymph node biopsy from both groins. SUMMARY: Primary vulvar cancer may be safely treated with radical/wide local resection. In case of other suspicious lesion or multifocal disease, radical vulvectomy is performed. Patients with unifocal disease, tumor size less than 4 cm, and clinically negative groins are candidates to sentinel node procedure. In the case of clinically positive node or sentinel node metastasis, a systematic inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy should be performed.

Preoperative upper limb lymphatic function in breast cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the preoperative upper limb lymphoscintigraphic pattern in women with breast cancer. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients undergoing lymphoscintigraphy within 30 days of surgery were investigated. Lymphoscintigraphic studies of 37 upper limbs ipsilateral to surgery and 32 contralateral upper limbs were performed. The examination protocol consisted in obtaining static images of the upper limb in semi-flexion after 10 minutes, and 1 and 2 hours after subcutaneous injection of 1 mCi (37 MBq) of Tc-99m-dextran in the dorsum of the hand. The velocity of axillary lymph node visualization (I, visible at 10 minutes; II, 1 hour; III, 2 hours; and IV, invisible) and degree (intensity) of nodal uptake (a, marked; b, moderate; c,mild; and d, absent) were analyzed. RESULTS: Optimal lymphatic functional pattern (Ia) was observed in four (11%) patients, in the ipsilateral upper limb, and six (19%), in the contralateral upper limb. Worse condition was observed in three (8%) patients (IVd) in the ipsilateral upper limb and two (6%) patients in the contralateral upper limb. The remaining patients showed intermediate states of velocity and uptake intensity. CONCLUSION: This study found relevant changes in preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, demonstrating preexisting functional differences in the lymphatic system.

Função linfática do membro superior no pré-operatório de câncer de mama / Preoperative upper limb lymphatic function in breast cancer surgery

OBJETIVO: Descrever o padrão linfocintilográfico do membro superior em mulheres no pré-operatório de câncer de mama. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 37 pacientes que realizaram a linfocintilografia até 30 dias antes da cirurgia, sendo 37 estudos linfocintilográficos de membros superiores ipsilaterais à cirurgia e 32 contralaterais. O protocolo de exame consistiu na realização de imagens estáticas do membro superior em semiflexão após 10 minutos, 1 e 2 horas da injeção subcutânea de 1 mCi (37 MBq) de dextran-99mTc no dorso da mão. Foram feitas análises da velocidade de aparecimento dos linfonodos axilares (I, visíveis aos 10 minutos; II, 1 hora; III, 2 horas e IV, não visíveis) e do grau (intensidade) de captação dos mesmos (a, acentuada; b, moderada; c , discreta e d, ausente). RESULTADOS: Quatro (11 por cento) pacientes apresentaram o padrão de estado da funcionalidade linfática considerado ideal (Ia) no membro superior ipsilateral, enquanto seis (19 por cento) apresentaram no contralateral. Três (8 por cento) apresentaram a pior classificação (IVd) no membro superior ipsilateral e duas (6 por cento) no contralateral. As demais pacientes apresentaram estados intermediários de velocidade e intensidade de captação. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo encontrou relevantes alterações na linfocintilografia pré-operatória, demonstrando a preexistência de diferenças funcionais do sistema linfático.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the preoperative upper limb lymphoscintigraphic pattern in women with breast cancer. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients undergoing lymphoscintigraphy within 30 days of surgery were investigated. Lymphoscintigraphic studies of 37 upper limbs ipsilateral to surgery and 32 contralateral upper limbs were performed. The examination protocol consisted in obtaining static images of the upper limb in semi-flexion after 10 minutes, and 1 and 2 hours after subcutaneous injection of 1 mCi (37 MBq) of Tc-99m-dextran in the dorsum of the hand. The velocity of axillary lymph node visualization (I, visible at 10 minutes; II, 1 hour; III, 2 hours; and IV, invisible) and degree (intensity) of nodal uptake (a, marked; b, moderate; c,mild; and d, absent) were analyzed. RESULTS: Optimal lymphatic functional pattern (Ia) was observed in four (11 percent) patients, in the ipsilateral upper limb, and six (19 percent), in the contralateral upper limb. Worse condition was observed in three (8 percent) patients (IVd) in the ipsilateral upper limb and two (6 percent) patients in the contralateral upper limb. The remaining patients showed intermediate states of velocity and uptake intensity. CONCLUSION: This study found relevant changes in preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, demonstrating preexisting functional differences in the lymphatic system.

Lymphoscintigraphic findings: delayed oedema after great saphenous vein harvesting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify lymphoscintigraphic changes associated with lower-extremity oedema after the harvesting of the saphenous vein using a series of short Q2 incisions for coronary bypass. METHOD: Forty-four patients (32 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 62.7 ± 7.8 (47-75 years old) were evaluated in a retrospective, quantitative, cross-sectional study from June 2007 to January 2008, three to 188 months (mean: 46 months) after the surgical procedure. Assessment was by water displacement volumetry and lymphoscintigraphy of the lower limbs. Results expressed as means with standard deviations were compared employing the Student's t-test and the chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare data expressed as frequencies. An alpha error of 5% was considered acceptable (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The presence of dermal backflow, as identified by lymphoscintigraphy with an accumulation of radiotracer in the thoracic duct and popliteal lymph nodes was significantly greater on the operated side. CONCLUSION: There was a significant association between dermal backflow and delayed oedema.