Sentinel node identification in laryngeal and pharyngeal carcinoma after flexible endoscopy-guided tracer injection under topical anesthesia: A feasibility study.

Driessen, Daphne A J J; Arens, Anne I J; Dijkema, Tim; Weijs, Willem L J; Draaijer, Lisette C; van den Broek, Guido B; Takes, Robert P; Honings, Jimmie et al. · Head Neck · 2023

other · Level V

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of flexible endoscopy-guided tracer injection for sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification in patients with laryngeal and pharyngeal carcinoma. Sixteen cT1-4N0-2M0 patients with laryngeal or pharyngeal carcinoma underwent intra- and peritumoral [<sup>99m</sup> Tc]Tc-nanocolloid injections after topical anesthesia under endoscopic guidance. SPECT-CT scans were performed at two time points. Tracer injection and visualization of SLNs was successful in 15/16 (94%) patients. Median number of tracer injections was 1 intratumoral and 3 peritumoral. The median duration of the endoscopic procedure including tracer injection after biopsy taking was 7 min (range 4-16 min). A total of 28 SLNs were identified which were all visualized on the early and late SPECT-CT. Most SLNs were visualized in neck levels II and III. Flexible endoscopy-guided tracer injection for SLN identification is a feasible and fast procedure in laryngeal and pharyngeal carcinoma patients.

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