THE ROLE OF SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY (SLNB) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CANCER

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this work was to evaluate the concept of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) in the 
management of thyroid cancer as regards feasibility and its impact on the decision-making. 
Methods: The study included 45 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. At operation the thyroid 
tumour was exposed, 1.0% isosulfan blue dye was injected into it. When the dye stained a lymph node, the 
latter was marked and labeled as the sentinel lymph node (SLN). Total thyroidectomy and bilateral central 
neck dissection was then completed. The tumour and the nodes were examined histologically.
Results: SLNs were detected in 24 patients (60%). All of them showed single stained nodes. All SLNs were 
level VI. All were located on the same side of the tumour, inferior to the location of the inferior thyroid 
artery. Eighteen (75%) SLNs were invaded by malignant tissue. The remaining 6 SLNs (25%) were free of 
malignancy. This was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining.
Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) detection is a feasible 
technique. When successful, it is also a reliable one.

Keywords

The Egyptian Journal of Surgery
Volume 29, Issue 1
January 2010
Pages 35-39

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics