Problematic aspects of sentinel lymph node biopsy and its relation to previous excisional biopsy in breast cancer

The aim of the study is to review problematic aspects of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and to evaluate the influence of a previous excisional biopsy on these problems.

A total of 345 patients were evaluated retrospectively, 156 of them had a previous biopsy. Tc-99m tin colloid was injected the day before surgery at 4 quadrants around the areola intradermally. Problems complicating SLNB are reviewed in 3 topics: visualization or gamma probe detection problems, dilated lymphatic channels, and misleading activity accumulation.

SLN detection rate and mean sentinel lymph node numbers were as follows in patients with and without biopsy, respectively: 95.5% versus 99.4% and 1.71 +/- 0.97 versus 1.70 +/- 0.92. Problems complicating the procedure occurred in 20 patients (5.8%). Among these 20 patients, 15 had a prior excisional biopsy, and incisions were located in the upper, outer and periareolar zones. Visualization or gamma probe detection problems occurred in 8 patients. Except for one with faint uptake in a sentinel node, all had a prior biopsy. Lymphatic channel dilatation complicated the procedure in 7 patients. Of these 7 patients, 4 had a previous biopsy. Misleading activity accumulations compromised SLNB in 5 patients, 4 of whom had a prior biopsy.

Although SLNB is still applicable with a high success rate in cases with excisional biopsy, a review of problematic aspects of SLNB demonstrated a relation with the presence of a previous biopsy and its localization. The demonstration of nonvisualization preoperatively and the precise localization of atypically located activity accumulation may be helpful in the prevention of potential complications.