Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
The Application of 1% Methylene Blue Dye As a Single Technique in Breast Cancer Sentinel Node Biopsy
Published on: June 1, 2019
Role of SPECT/CT in sentinel lymph node detection in patients with breast cancer
Laetitia Vercellino1, Jessica Ohnona, David Groheux
1From the *Nuclear Medicine Department, Saint Louis Hospital, APHP, Paris, and †UCK, U728 INSERM, IUH, Paris, France; ‡Department of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; and §Department of Nuclear Medicine, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Rovigo, Italy.
Aim:
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the published literature to assess the role (indications, advantages, and limitations) of SPECT/CT for the detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN) in breast cancer.
Methods:
The authors searched PubMed for published literature in English addressing this topic.
Results:
Eleven studies, published since 2006, focused on the role and value of SPECT/CT for SLN detection (SLND). They showed that SPECT/CT improved sentinel node detection and anatomical localization. One study suggested that SPECT/CT may provide a more accurate staging. Limitations for SLND with SPECT/CT include extra time and inconvenience for the patient and additional radiation dose.
Conclusions:
SPECT/CT is a valuable tool for SLND, especially in difficult cases, when planar lymphoscintigraphy shows no SLN or unexpected lymphatic drainage.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT