Preoperative Lymphoscintigraphy in the Evaluation of Squamous Cell Cancer of the Vulva

• Published in: Clinical nuclear medicine 1999-04, Vol.24 (4), p.235-238
• Main Authors: BOWLES, JASON, TERADA, KEITH Y, COEL, MARC N, WONG, JAN H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - secondary; Female; Humans; Inguinal Canal - diagnostic imaging; Injections, Intradermal; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lymph Node Excision; Lymph Nodes - diagnostic imaging; Lymphatic Metastasis; Lymphoscintigraphy; Medical sciences; Neoplasm Staging; Pilot Projects; Preoperative Care; Radiopharmaceuticals - administration & dosage; Risk Factors; Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin - administration & dosage; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Urinary system; Vulvar Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Vulvar Neoplasms - pathology
• ISSN: 0363-9762; 1536-0229
• DOI: 10.1097/00003072-199904000-00003

PURPOSE:A pilot study was undertaken to determine the lymphatic drainage of vulvar cancer using cutaneous lymphoscintigraphy. METHODS:Six patients with biopsy-proved T1 squamous cell cancer of the vulva were studied using 0.4 to 0.6 mCi Tc-99m HSA. Planar imaging was performed after patients received intradermal injections of Tc-99m HSA in a total volume of 0.4 ml at four sites around the vulvar lesion. RESULTS:Tumor locations included two midline lesions and three anterior third lesions. One tumor was located in the midthird of the labia majora. There was no clinically suspicious inguinal adenopathy in any patient. Based on classic anatomic descriptions of cutaneous lymphatic drainage, all but one patient would have been predicted to have drainage to both inguinal nodal basins. Cutaneous lymphoscintigraphy was successful in all six patients. Unilateral drainage was shown in five of six patients. Only one patient had bilateral inguinal drainage, and her tumor was located in the left anterior third of the labia minora. CONCLUSIONS:Cutaneous lymphoscintigraphy with Tc-99m HSA is easily performed and may be potentially useful in defining lymphatic basins at risk in squamous cell cancer of the vulva.