Sentinel Lymphoscintigraphy In Oral Carcinoma: A Report Of 10 Cases

Objectives To determine the clinical value of sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection by iymphoscintigraphy and to assess the value of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining analysis of SLN for staging oral caricinoma.Method Ten patients with oral carcinoma were included in this study (7 male to 3 female). 99mTc-dextron was injected peritumorally 24h before surgery. Lymphoscintigraphy images were obtained in anterior and lateral views.SLN were detected and removed with the aid of dye during surgery.A standard radical neck dissection was performed, all lymph nodes were analyzed by H&E staining. Result SLN was successfully detected in 8 (80%) of the 10 patients. 1 SLN was detected in 3 patients (37.5%), 2 SLNs in 3 patients (37.5%) and 3 SLNs in 2 patients (25%), averagely 1.88 SLNs per patient. 7 of 8 patients's SLNs (87.5%), by means of dye method, were detected where the images showed. The SLN emerging rates in submandibular and deep neck upper lymph node groups were 37.5% and 62.5%. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of SLN biopsy were 100%, 100% and 100%. Conclusion This study suggests that lymphoscintigraphy and dye method may be used to detect SLN.Biopsy of SLN may be an accurate method for staging oral carcinoma.