Benefits of SPECT/CT in sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy studies

Objectives As melanoma cases increase rapidly in the United States, the localization of sentinel nodes using lymphoscintigraphy has been proven to be a benefit for preoperative planning and critical in reducing operating room time. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and determine the benefits of SPECT/ CT in comparison to SPECT scanning in melanoma patients.

Methods For this study, a small number of patients with melanoma had SPECT/ CT scans done using a Phillips Precedence© after SPECT planar images were done on a gamma camera, prior to surgical biopsies of their sentinel nodes.

Results SPECT/CT was able to show exact depth and size of the sentinel nodes, where planar images alone were not able to. SPECT/CT was also able to differentiate nodes localized near injection sites and from other patient artifacts. Using SPECT/ CT physicians were able to determine the ideal localization of optimal node excision.

Conclusions SPECT/CT is more sensitive and accurate in the localization of sentinel nodes. Patients that have known melanoma near multiple lymph node beds should be imaged using SPECT/CT for more definitive results and to lessen the time a patient is under anesthesia during biopsy.