The EANM practical guidelines for sentinel lymph node localisation in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

PurposeSentinel lymph node biopsy is an essential staging tool in patients with clinically localized oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. The harvesting of a sentinel lymph node entails a sequence of procedures with participation of specialists in nuclear medicine, radiology, surgery, and pathology. The aim of this document is to provide guidelines for nuclear medicine physicians performing lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel lymph node detection in patients with early N0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.MethodsThese practice guidelines were written and have been approved by the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to promote high-quality lymphoscintigraphy. The final result has been discussed by distinguished experts from the EANM Oncology Committee, and national nuclear medicine societies. The document has been endorsed by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).These guidelines, together with another two focused on Surgery and Pathology (and published in specialised journals), are part of the synergistic efforts developed in preparation for the “2018 Sentinel Node Biopsy in Head and Neck Consensus Conference”.ConclusionThe present practice guidelines will help nuclear medicine practitioners play their essential role in providing high-quality lymphatic mapping for the care of early N0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Surgical consensus guidelines on sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in patients with oral cancer

“…The selection of radiotracer products varies geographically, but the radioisotope of choice remains technetium‐99m (99mTc). A full outline of radiotracers and dosage can be found in the nuclear medicine guidelines complementary to these surgical guidelines . SNB in the head and neck should not be undertaken with an optical tracer alone.…”

“…These consensus surgical guidelines for sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in clinically node‐negative oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) aim to facilitate exemplary surgical management of patients with early stage disease. This document along with two others focused on nuclear medicine and pathology are the proceedings of the eighth international symposium for SNB in head and neck cancer (8th SNB), held in London, April 2018. These guidelines are intended to assist practitioners in providing appropriate care for patients.…”

Sentinel-Lymphknoten-Diagnostik im Kopf/Halsbereich: Indikation und aktuelle Untersuchungsprotokolle

“…Ausschluss von okkulten zervikalen Lymphknotenmetastasen ist für die Patienten von erheblicher Bedeutung, da hierdurch das operative Konzept entscheidend beeinflusst wird. Der nachfolgende Beitrag möchte einen Überblick über die Methode und eine praktische Handlungsanleitung zur Durchführung der nuklearmedizinischen Untersuchung geben, unter Berücksichtigung der aktuell gültigen Leitlinien [4, 16,23].…”

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma cT1–2N0: prospective single-center study

“…Биопсию сигнальных ЛУ осуществляли в соответствии с рекомендациями Европейской ассоциации специалистов в области ядерной медицины (European Association of Nuclear Medicine) по двухдневному протоколу [15]. Для визуализации сигнальных ЛУ использовали радиофармпрепарат «Технефит» (радиоколлоид, меченный изотопом 99m Tc, с диаметром частиц от 80-100 до 1000 нм).…”