Summary Introduction: Lymphoscintigraphy in melanoma provides important information on
the dynamic drainage of the primary tumour and the location of the sentinel lymph node (SLN).
Unfortunately these images lack anatomical detail. Single positron emission computed tomography/
computed tomography (SPECT/CT) provides extremely detailed information on the
location of the SLN and its relationship with surrounding structures and it is the aim of this
study to report our initial experience with this technology.
Methods: Thirty-two patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) at our unit between
October 2010 and October 2011 were included in this study. In each case, conventional
planar lymphoscintigraphy (PL) was followed by SPECT/CT. Images of each patient were reviewed
by the operating consultant plastic surgeon and a consultant radiologist. A joint opinion
was issued on the number of lymph nodes identified by each imaging modality and whether
SPECT/CT influenced surgical approach.
Results: Both PL and SPECT/CT detected the SLN in 31/32 patients. There was no significant
difference between the number of SLN identified by PL and SPECT (p Z 0.69). In relation to
the true number of SLNs identified intra-operatively by gamma probing and blue dye, there
was no statistically significant difference in accuracy between SPECT/CT and PL (p Z 0.50).
SPECT/CT was judged to provide useful anatomical information in all cases. Surgical approach
was altered in 12/32 patients and contributed to the detection of SLNs that were positive for
metastases.
Conclusions: In relation to true SLN number, SPECT/CT was not significantly more accurate
than PL. The detailed anatomical information provided by SPECT/CT improved confidence
and pre-operative planning in all patients. In select cases, particularly in the head and neck,
SPECT/CT overcame the limitations of PL and facilitated the detection and sampling of metastatic
nodes.
ª 2013 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by
Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.