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Sentinel Node Biopsy Imaging in Breast Cancer: Scatter Reduction Using 3-Dimensionally Printed Lead Shields
Francisco M Cañete-Sánchez, Xavier L E Boulvard-Chollet1, Xabier Chamorro2
1From the Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital San Pedro and Centre for Biomedical Research of La Rioja, Logroño, La Rioja.
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|May 23, 2022
Summary
New concave lead shields significantly reduce point of injection scatter (SPI) and repositioning during breast cancer sentinel lymph node lymphoscintigraphy, improving imaging efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear medicine imaging
- Medical device innovation
- Oncology diagnostics
Background:
- Point of injection scatter (SPI) is a significant challenge in breast cancer sentinel lymph node detection.
- Existing round flat lead shields (FLSs) offer incomplete scatter reduction, necessitating frequent patient repositioning.
- Novel shield designs are needed to improve SPI reduction and streamline imaging procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate novel concave lead shields for reducing SPI in sentinel lymph node lymphoscintigraphy.
- To assess the effectiveness of these shields in minimizing scatter counts and the need for repositioning.
- To compare the performance of the new shields against conventional FLS.
Main Methods:
- Two concave lead shields, an oval lead shield (OLS) and a semispherical lead alloy shield (SLS), were 3D printed.
- Twenty breast cancer patients underwent anterior and anterior oblique imaging at early and late time points after radiotracer injection.
- Scatter counts and scatter reduction percentage (%SR) were quantified, and repositioning events were recorded for comparison with FLS.
Main Results:
- Both OLS and SLS demonstrated high scatter reduction percentages (around 90% in early images, 87-88% in late images).
- Significant reductions in scatter counts were observed with OLS and SLS compared to FLS (P < 0.001).
- Repositioning frequency was substantially reduced with OLS (4/20) and SLS (2/20) compared to FLS (14/20).
Conclusions:
- The developed concave lead shields (OLS and SLS) effectively minimize SPI in sentinel lymph node lymphoscintigraphy.
- These novel shields significantly reduce the need for patient repositioning, enhancing procedural efficiency.
- The findings support the clinical utility of these advanced lead shields for improved breast cancer imaging.
