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Updated: May 27, 2026
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The Application of 1% Methylene Blue Dye As a Single Technique in Breast Cancer Sentinel Node Biopsy
Published on: June 1, 2019
Methylene blue dye-related changes in the breast after sentinel lymph node localization
Seok Seon Kang1, Boo-Kyung Han, Eun Young Ko
1Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-710, Korea.
Summary
Breast sonography can reveal unexplained focal lesions after surgery with methylene blue dye sentinel lymph node localization. Most lesions are benign, but some may mimic recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Breast cancer surgery often involves sentinel lymph node localization.
- Methylene blue dye is used for sentinel lymph node localization.
- Post-surgical breast changes require careful sonographic evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and sonographic appearance of breast changes after surgery.
- To investigate lesions not at the lumpectomy site.
- To assess the association of these lesions with sentinel lymph node localization using methylene blue dye.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 337 patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery.
- Sonography performed within 2 years post-surgery.
- Selective sentinel lymph node localization using methylene blue dye.
Main Results:
- Unexplained focal lesions found in 14.1% of patients with sentinel lymph node localization.
- Lesions predominantly in periareolar/retroareolar regions, often mimicking fat necrosis.
- Irregular masses mimicking recurrence observed in some cases.
Conclusions:
- Breast sonography can detect unexplained focal lesions post-methylene blue dye sentinel lymph node localization.
- While often benign (fat necrosis), some lesions can appear as irregular masses.
- Distinguishing benign changes from recurrence requires careful sonographic assessment.
