BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is an established alternative to complete lymph node dissection in some patients. We have developed a novel, radiolabeled methylene blue dye that may be a useful alternative to the traditional two-step procedure involving 99mTc-labeled colloid and unlabeled blue dye. We hypothesize that 125I-labeled methylene blue will be rapidly absorbed into the lymphatics and transported to the drainage basin containing the sentinel nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rabbits footpads were injected with 1 mCi of 125I-labeled methylene blue admixed with unlabeled dye. A hand-held gamma detection device allowed tracking of radiolabeled dye to nodes in the popliteal and inguinal regions. At pre-established time points animals were sacrificed, and the nodal basin dissected. Nodal radioactivity as well as uptake of blue dye was recorded. RESULTS: The spread of the radiolabeled methylene blue compound from the footpad to the popliteal lymph nodes occurred in 5-10 min. CONCLUSION: The radiolabeled dye rapidly progresses through lymphatics to the draining nodes. Use of radiolabeled methylene blue may be an attractive alternative to current two-step sentinel node techniques, as it may be less painful, and may reduce the cost associated with the time-delay between the injection of the radioactive compound and surgery. (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is an established alternative to complete lymph node dissection in some patients. We have developed a novel, radiolabeled methylene blue dye that may be a useful alternative to the traditional two-step procedure involving 99mTc-labeled colloid and unlabeled blue dye. We hypothesize that 125I-labeled methylene blue will be rapidly absorbed into the lymphatics and transported to the drainage basin containing the sentinel nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Rabbits footpads were injected with 1 mCi of 125I-labeled methylene blue admixed with unlabeled dye. A hand-held gamma detection device allowed tracking of radiolabeled dye to nodes in the popliteal and inguinal regions. At pre-established time points animals were sacrificed, and the nodal basin dissected. Nodal radioactivity as well as uptake of blue dye was recorded. RESULTS: The spread of the radiolabeled methylene blue compound from the footpad to the popliteal lymph nodes occurred in 5-10 min. CONCLUSION: The radiolabeled dye rapidly progresses through lymphatics to the draining nodes. Use of radiolabeled methylene blue may be an attractive alternative to current two-step sentinel node techniques, as it may be less painful, and may reduce the cost associated with the time-delay between the injection of the radioactive compound and surgery. (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Authors: Jason David Cundiff; Yi-Zarn Wang; Gregory Espenan; Thomas Maloney; Arthur Camp; Laura Lazarus; Alan Stolier; Randy Brooks; Bruce Torrance; Shawn Stafford; James P O'Leary; Eugene A Woltering Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2007-02 Impact factor: 12.969