Sentinel lymph node biopsy using computed tomographic lymphography in patients with early tongue cancer

CONCLUSIONS Because computed tomography (CT) lymphography provides preoperative images of anatomic relationships between a tumor, its associated lymph vessels, and the sentinel lymph node (SLN), it may aid in directing the SLN biopsy for management of early tongue cancer. OBJECTIVES SLN biopsy using a radioisotope (RI) generally has been performed in head and neck cancer. However, this method can be performed only at institutions that are licenced for its use. In this study, we evaluated the utility of performing SLN biopsy in patients with early tongue cancer using the newly developed technique of CT lymphography. METHODS Enrolled in this study were 31 patients with T1N0 or T2N0 tongue cancer. CT images were obtained before and after injection of iopamidol into the peritumoral region and the SLN was identified as the first enhanced lymph node. SLN biopsy was performed using CT lymphographic guidance combined with blue dye injection. RESULTS The SLN was detected by CT lymphography in 28 cases (90.3%). By intraoperative frozen section examination, metastases to SLNs were found in 4 (14.3%) (T1N0, 1 patient; T2N0, 3 patients) of the 28 patients. Of these four, SLN micrometastases were found in one patient.