RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Benefits of SPECT/CT in sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy studies
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine
JO J Nucl Med
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 2206
OP 2206
VO 50
IS supplement 2
A1 Kukler, Joseph
A1 Gilmore, David
A1 Stokes, Margaret
YR 2009
UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/50/supplement_2/2206.abstract
AB 2206 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.