Buffering the Suffering of Breast Lymphoscintigraphy

Breast lymphoscintigraphy with ^99mTc-sulfur colloid is frequently performed before breast-conserving surgery to delineate drainage to a sentinel node. Tracer injection for lymphoscintigraphy can be painful. Our aims were to determine whether administering a solution of buffered lidocaine immediately before lymphoscintigraphy injection could both reduce the patients' pain and increase nuclear medicine technologists' satisfaction with performing the procedure. Methods: A pain scale survey was obtained from patients undergoing breast lymphoscintigraphy with or without buffered lidocaine. Our nuclear medicine technologists were also surveyed for their satisfaction with the procedure, both with and without the addition of buffered lidocaine. Results: The patients' reported pain decreased by 86% with the addition of buffered lidocaine. Technologist satisfaction with performing the procedure increased by 36%. Conclusion: Lidocaine buffered with sodium bicarbonate injected before lymphoscintigraphy significantly reduces pain experienced by the patient and improves nuclear medicine technologist satisfaction in performing the procedure.