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.
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.
Authors: Stephen P Povoski; Ryan L Neff; Cathy M Mojzisik; David M O'Malley; George H Hinkle; Nathan C Hall; Douglas A Murrey; Michael V Knopp; Edward W Martin Journal: World J Surg Oncol Date: 2009-01-27 Impact factor: 2.754