BackgroundAxillary reverse mapping (ARM) is a new technique developed with the aim of reducing lymphedema rates by preserving lymphatic drainage of the upper limbs during sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). However, it is unclear whether preservation of these lymph nodes affects oncological risk. The present study evaluated the presence of metastases in ARM nodes.MethodsA total of 45 patients underwent ARM during ALND. Blue dye was used for ARM nodes localization. All axillary lymph nodes, including ARM nodes, were removed and sent separately for pathological evaluation of metastases.ResultsARM identification was achieved in 40/45 patients (88.9 %). The average number of removed ARM nodes was 1.9. ARM nodes metastasis occurred in 10 of 40 patients (25 %). Patients with an axilla extensively affected by cancer had an elevated risk of metastasis to the arm’s lymph nodes (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe rate of arm lymph nodes compromised by metastases calls into question the viability of the ARM technique. Larger studies may point to particular patient profiles for which ARM can be safely use.

Background and Objectives Marking positive lymph nodes (LNs) before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) may improve the accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of marking LNs with 4% carbon microparticle suspension (CMS) before NAC and to evaluate if this technique would improve the SLNB identification rate. Methods A prospective study of patients with cT1‐T4, cN1‐N2 breast cancer who underwent US‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of suspected LNs and concomitant marking with 4% CMS was performed. After NAC, LNs marked with 4% CMS and those marked with Patent Blue V dye (PBV) were identified and resected. Results Of the 123 patients included, 74 (60.1%) had positive LNs at FNAB. During axillary surgery, 4% CMS was identified in 121 of 123 patients (98.3%) and blue sentinel LNs in 91% (112 of 123 patients) (P = .0103). Comparing isolated results of PBV and 4%CMS + PBV, the association was better in identifying positive LNs (72.2% vs 97.7%) (P = .02). Conclusion The association of 4% CMS and PBV is feasible and significantly increased the identification rate of positive LNs. 4% CMS may play an important role as a complementary technique in patients submitted to NAC.

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A digital cell image processor was used to compute 15 parameters on Feulgen-stained thyroid nuclei from 238 archival, i.e., formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded thyroid lesions. The morphonuclear parameters were related to morphometric (nuclear area), densitometric (nuclear DNA content), and textural (chromatin pattern characteristics) features. With respect to development of a malignant condition, their variations were compared with the World Health Organization's International Histological Classification of thyroid tumors. The relationship between morphonuclear parameter assessments and tumor size and the presence or absence of metastasis at the time of diagnosis was also investigated: no relationship with respect to cytomorphonuclear assessments was found. Nuclear area and nuclear DNA content discriminated between simple multinodular goiters and multinodular goiters with adenomatous hyperplasia. In the same way, the mean parameter values describing the chromatin pattern of multinodular goiters were significantly distinct from those describing the chromatin pattern of adenomas and carcinomas. Furthermore, chromatin pattern descriptions made it possible to discriminate between cell nuclei from papillary carcinomas and follicular carcinomas, and further between follicular carcinomas and follicular adenomas. A marked variation was observed within individual cases of multinodular goiters, adenomas, and carcinomas, a feature suggesting that morphonuclear assessment is of limited value for the diagnosis of individual clinical cases. In contrast, these results show that morphometric, densitometric, and textural nuclear assessments are useful aids for thyroid tumor typing, adding interesting results with respect to thyroid tumor progression. Indeed, the primary findings demonstrate that nodules with adenomatous hyperplasia from multinodular goiter lesions and microvesicular adenomas more closely resemble follicular carcinomas than do simple multinodular goiters and normomacrovesicular adenomas. Such data might reflect a biologic progression from benign to malignant follicular thyroid lesions.

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