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Lymphoscintigraphy
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Lymphoscintigraphy is a nuclear medicine study used to draw a map of the lymphatic system, the network of vessels and nodes that lymph travels through. It draws that map with radiotracers, substances that give off a signal a camera can see.
The one used today is sulfur colloid labeled with technetium-99m. It is injected, and then images are taken for 30 to 60 minutes.
What the study is looking for is the sentinel node: the first node that receives lymph from a particular area. In melanoma and in breast cancer it is the node most likely to harbor hidden metastases, meaning tumor cells that have already reached it without any outward sign. It is a tracer running through the plumbing, lighting up the first station it reaches.
Outside of cancer it is also used to evaluate lymphedema. And apart from the pinprick of the injection it is not invasive, and it has few contraindications.
In brief
Lymphoscintigraphy is a nuclear medicine study that maps the lymphatic system with radiotracers.
It uses technetium-99m sulfur colloid, and images are taken for 30 to 60 minutes after the injection.
The sentinel node is the first to receive that drainage; in melanoma and breast cancer it is the most likely to harbor hidden metastases.
A tracer running through the plumbing, lighting up the first station it reaches.
Apart from the injection it is not invasive and has few contraindications; it also helps evaluate lymphedema.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingLymphoscintigraphy, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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