Correlation between Breslow thickness and Technetium-99m-sestamibi uptake in cutaneous melanoma
Nathália Masiero1, Manuela Martins Costa, Paulo Ricardo Masiero
1Department of Dermatology.
Background:
Technetium-99m-sestamibi (MIBI) is a radiopharmaceutical that has well-known tumor-seeking properties. We evaluated the correlation between Breslow thickness and MIBI uptake by cutaneous melanoma (CM).
Material And Methods:
Patients with suspicious melanocytic lesions received intravenous injections of 740-1,110 Mbq of MIBI. Using a gamma probe, the number of radioactive counts in the skin was considered to determinate the MIBI uptake intensity. SPECT imaging of the lesion site and respective lymph node region was obtained.
Results:
There was a strong positive correlation between MIBI uptake intensity and Breslow thickness (rs = 0.74, P = 0.003). There was a statistically significant difference (P <0.001) between lesions with Breslow thickness <1 mm (MIBI uptake intensity = 1.23 ± 0.28 radioactive counts) and Breslow thickness >1 mm (MIBI uptake intensity = 2.32 ± 0.32 radioactive counts).
Discussion:
The possibility of correlating MIBI uptake intensity with Breslow categories may facilitate surgical procedures, reducing morbidity and costs.
