SMART Study: Sentimag Along With Routine Technique in Detection of Sentinel Node Biopsy

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is now the standard technique used in breast cancer patients with a clinically and radiologically negative axilla. SLNB for breast cancer was introduced in the 1990s3 and it significantly reduces the morbidity associated with axillary node dissection (ALND) including lymphedema, seroma, numbness, wound infection, reduced shoulder motility, and chronic pain.2 The gold standard for sentinel node detection is the 'combined technique'; using both blue dye and radioisotope injection. After allowing both radioisotope and blue dye to localize in the lymphatic system, the clinician uses a 'gamma probe' (a handheld scintillation counter) to locate the SLNs. The blue dye assists in localisation post-incision, with lymph nodes that are blue and/or radioactive are judged as 'SLNs' and excised. Some centres use either radioisotope or blue dye alone. Although detection rates are lower, they can still reach satisfying values in experienced centres.

The use of radioisotope exposes patients and healthcare workers to radiation, is heavily controlled by legislation (both on the specific training for operators and subsequent disposal of surgical waste), and provides poor pre-operative imaging. As a result, many centres have stopped undertaking routine pre-operative lymphoscintigraphy. There is thus a clinical need to develop new techniques for detecting sentinel nodes without these drawbacks.