The clinically applied hybrid tracer indocyanine green-99m Tc-nanocolloid enables combined radio-and fluorescence image guidance during sentinel node (SN) biopsy procedures. To provide optimal surgical guidance, this tracer requires the presence of both g-and fluorescence modalities in the operating room. We reasoned that the combination or integration of these modalities could further evolve the hybrid surgical guidance concept. To study this potential, we clinically applied 2 setups that included the combination of g-detection modalities and an open surgery fluorescence camera. Methods: To attach the fluorescence camera (VITOM) to either a g-ray detection probe (GP; VITOM-GP) or a portable g-camera (GC; Vitom GC), clipon brackets were designed and printed in 3-dimensional sterilizable RC31. Both combined modalities were evaluated in, respectively, 5 and 6 patients with penile cancer during an SN biopsy procedure using indocyanine green-99m Tc-nanocolloid. Intraoperatively, radioand fluorescence-guided SN detection rates were scored at working distances of 0, 10, 20, and 30 cm for both combinations. Results: Using the VITOM-GP combination, we evaluated 9 SNs. g-tracing rates were shown to be 100%, 88.9%, 55.6%, and 55.6% at a respective working distance of 0, 10, 20, and 30 cm. Detection rates for the fluorescence imaging-based detection were found to be 100%, 77.8%, and 77.8%, at respective working distances of 10, 20, and 30 cm. When the VITOM-GC setup was used, all 10 intraoperatively evaluated SNs could be visualized with the g-camera independent of the working distance. Fluorescence detection rates were 90%, 80%, and 80% at 10-, 20-, and 30-cm working distances. The integrated detection modalities were shown to work synergistically; overall the, GC was most valuable for rough localization (10-to 30-cm range) of the SNs, the GP for providing convenient realtime acoustic feedback, whereas fluorescence guidance allowed detailed real-time SN visualization. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that full integration of a fluorescence camera with g-detector (GP or GC) can be of value when a hybrid, radioactive and fluorescent tracer is used.

A high-resolution PGC, positioned close to the skin, is able to detect SNs at distances of at least 3 mm from the injection site. A further clinical evaluation of this device to establish its added value in reducing false-negative procedures and potential recurrences is necessary.

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Fused optical and γ-imaging with the prototype PHC is technically feasible and helpful for the image interpretation. The optical image visualizes the γ-image field of view, enabling SN localization in an anatomical context in a preoperative setting; however, for the operating room, the use of its optical component needs to be additionally adjusted.

BackgroundSelective removal of initially tumor-positive axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) improves the accuracy of nodal staging and provides the opportunity for more tailored axillary treatment. This study evaluated whether radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) of clip-marked lymph nodes is feasible in clinical practice.MethodsPrior to NST, a clip marker was placed inside a proven tumor-positive lymph node in all breast cancer patients (cTis-4N1-3 M0). After NST, technetium-99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin was injected in the clip-marked lymph nodes. The next day, these ROLL-marked nodes were selectively removed at surgery to evaluate the pathological response of the axilla.ResultsThirty-seven patients (38 axillae) underwent clip insertion. After NST, the clip was visible by ultrasound in 36 procedures (95%). In the other two patients, the ROLL-node injection was performed in a sonographically suspicious unclipped node (1), and near the clip under computed tomography guidance (1). Initial surgery successfully identified the ROLL-marked node with clip in 33 procedures (87%). Removed specimens in the other five procedures contained only the sonographically suspicious tumor-positive unclipped node (1), a node with signs of complete response but no clip (2), a clip without node (1), and tissue without node nor clip, and a second successful ROLL-node procedure was performed (1). Overall, 10 ROLL-marked nodes had no residual disease.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that the ROLL procedure to identify clip-marked lymph nodes is feasible. This facilitates selective removal at surgery and may tailor axillary treatment in patients treated with NST.

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BackgroundThis study was designed to explore the feasibility of replacing the conventional peri-/intratumoural ultrasound (US)-guided technetium-99m albumin nanocolloid (99mTc-nanocolloid) administration by an injection of the same tracer guided by a freehand single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) device in patients with non-palpable breast cancer with an iodine-125 (125I) seed as tumour marker, who are scheduled for a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). This approach aimed to decrease the workload of the radiology department, avoiding a second US-guided procedure.MethodsIn ten patients, the implanted 125I seed was primarily localised using freehand SPECT and subsequently verified by conventional US in order to inject the 99mTc-nanocolloid. The following 34 patients were injected using only freehand SPECT localisation. In these patients, additional SPECT/CT was acquired to measure the distance between the 99mTc-nanocolloid injection depot and the 125I seed. In retrospect, a group of 21 patients with US-guided 99mTc-nanocolloid administrations was included as a control group.ResultsThe depth difference measured by US and freehand SPECT in ten patients was 1.6 ± 1.6 mm. In the following 36 125I seeds (34 patients), the average difference between the 125I seed and the centre of the 99mTc-nanocolloid injection depot was 10.9 ± 6.8 mm. In the retrospective study, the average distance between the 125I seed and the centre of the 99mTc-nanocolloid injection depot as measured in SPECT/CT was 9.7 ± 6.5 mm and was not significantly different compared to the freehand SPECT-guided group (two-sample Student's t test, p = 0.52).ConclusionWe conclude that using freehand SPECT for 99mTc-nanocolloid administration in patients with non-palpable breast cancer with previously implanted 125I seed is feasible. This technique may improve daily clinical logistics, reducing the workload of the radiology department.