Evaluation of Sentinel Lymph Node Identification and Localization Using Ultrasound and Radionuclide Technologies in Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: To study the diagnostic capabilities of the ultrasonic contrast agent sulfur hexafluoride in the detection of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer; to assess the cordance of radioisotope and ultrasound techniques in the detection of sentinel lymph nodes.

Materials and methods: In this study included 152 patients with breast cancer (clinical stages T_1‑3N_0‑1M₀), mean age 52.0±12.5 years. For the method of detecting SLN with ultrasound contrast, the drug Sonovue (Bracco Swiss, SA, Switzerland) was used.

Discussion: The frequency of sentinel lymph node detection using ultrasound contrast in the first and second groups was 97.6% and 89.9%, respectively, with the use of radiopharmaceuticals, 90.4% and 87%, respectively. The cordance of the two methods was 91%. Metastases in the sentinel lymph nodes were detected in 44 cases (28.9%). The detection rate of metastatic sentinel lymph nodes with ultrasound contrast was 95.5%, using a radiopharmaceutical — 88.6%.

Conclusion: The technique of sentinel lymph node detection using ultrasound contrast in breast cancer is characterized by simplicity and speed of execution, and high detection rates allow it to be used as an independent technology in axillary staging.

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