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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping and Biopsy for Endometrial Cancer at Early Stage with Laparoscopy
Published on: August 19, 2021
Predictive factors for failure to identify sentinel nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Marije T Hornstra1, Lee W T Alkureishi, Gary L Ross
1Plastic Surgery Unit, Canniesburn Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Background:
The aim of this study was to ascertain which factors determine success of sentinel node biopsy (SNB).
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective review of 121 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma undergoing SNB to stage the neck. All patients underwent the triple-diagnostic procedure of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, intraoperative blue dye, and a gamma probe. Factors contributing to failure of SNB were identified.
Results:
SNB was unsuccessful in 12 of 121 patients (10%). Seven of the 12 patients had cT1/cT2 tumors, and 6 of these were located in the floor of mouth. SN identification was more likely to be successful in patients with cN0 necks, but this did not reach statistical significance (92% vs 84%, p = .268). Factors associated with failure included T classification (p = .01), tumor site (p = .05), and negative preoperative lymphoscintigraphy (p = .0174).
Conclusion:
Successful sentinel lymph node harvest is related to primary tumor site, T classification, and the presence of nodes on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy.
