Conjunctival melanoma metastasis diagnosed by sentinel lymph node biopsy.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Evaluate the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in staging and directing treatment of patients with conjunctival malignancy. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case reports. METHODS: Two patients with conjunctival melanoma underwent SLNB, which consisted of lymphoscintigraphy with injection of sulfur colloid technetium-99m. Lymphazurin blue was injected intraoperatively into the area of prior excision. The combination of a signal through the sulfur colloid technetium-99m and blue staining identified SLNs. RESULTS: In both patients, the SLNs containing metastatic disease were identified and biopsies obtained, aiding staging and optimal therapy. CONCLUSION: Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been recently reported as an aid in evaluating patients with periocular malignancies. These reports of patients with tumor-positive SLNs arising from the lymphatic metastasis of conjunctival malignancies underscore the utility of this important technique in evaluating patients with periocular malignancies.