Sentinel Lymph Nodes Detection via Lymphoscintigraphy in Patient with Breast Cancer: Comparison of One-Site and Two-Site Intradermal Injections

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy detected by lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) can reduce morbidity resulting from axillary lymph nodes dissection. We wanted to know whether increasing number of injection site can increase the detected rate and number of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) via lymphoscintigraphy. Methods: 189 patients with breast cancer were enrolled in the Taichung Veterans General Hospital during 2008~2009. Before mapping SLNs, intradermal periareolar injections of Tc-99m phytate were performed. Group A (97 patients) received one-site injection. Group B (92 patients) received two-site injection. The detection rate and number of SLNs were evaluated by statistical methods. Results: The detection rate of SLNs by LSG in Group A and B were 96.91% and 98.97%, respectively (P = 0.31). The mean value of number of detected SLNs in groups A and B were 1.54 and 1.87, respectively (P = 0.03). Conclusions: The method of two-site injection has the tendency of increasing the detection rate of SLNs and can find more number of SLNs in patients with breast cancer.