The Utility of Intraoperative Handheld Gamma Camera for Detection of Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Melanoma.

Accurate identification of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is an important prognostic factor for melanoma. In a minority of cases drainage to interval nodal basins, such as the epitrochlear region, are possible. Intraoperative handheld gamma cameras have been used to detect SLNs which are located in different anatomical localizations. In this case we report the utility of an intraoperative handheld gamma camera in the localization of epitrochlear drainage of distal upper extremity melanoma and its impact on surgical procedure.