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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
The Application of 1% Methylene Blue Dye As a Single Technique in Breast Cancer Sentinel Node Biopsy
Published on: June 1, 2019
Development of 125I-methylene blue for sentinel lymph node biopsy
Shawn J Stafford1, Jessica L Wright, Joshua Schwimer
1Department of Surgery, The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.
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.
