Currently, the use of radioisotope and blue dye for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for axillary staging in breast cancer is common. Recently, indocyanine green (ICG) has been proposed as an alternative sentinel lymph node (SLN) tracking agent. We evaluated the clinical value of ICG as an additional tracer in combination with Technetium99m and as an alternative to Technetium99m for the identification of SLN in 104 breast cancer patients. 21 patients had at least 1 histologically tumor-positive SLN. All 21 patients were detected by ICG; in one of these 21 sentinel-positive patients, Technetium99m was unable to identify lymph node involvement. Our results show that ICG is as effective as the radioisotope for SLNB. In addition, as a near-infrared dye, it has the advantages of real-time visualization, lower cost, and wider availability, since no radioactive material needs to be handled. This trial is registered with German Clinical Trial Register Main ID: DRKS00013606.

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ABSTR ACTIntroduction We studied the extent to which an ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy device ("hand-held Mammotome") could be used not only as a valuable tool for investigation of suspicious breast lesions, but also therapeutically for the complete removal of breast fibroadenomas.Materials and Methods 132 aspiration biopsies showing fibroadenoma on histology were collected retrospectively. We ascertained whether there were residual findings on breast ultrasound at a median follow-up of approx. 9 months following biopsy. A questionnaire was used to determine the complication rate, patient satisfaction and acceptance of the procedure.Results In this study complete fibroadenomectomy was achieved at aspiration biopsy in 76 % of cases (n = 132). Compared to fibroadenomas larger than 2.51 cm 3 (59 %), those smaller than 2.5 cm 3 were completely removed more often (87.6 %; p < 0.05). The procedure is associated with very little pain during and after biopsy and minimal haematoma development, both factors supporting a high rate of acceptance among patients.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy is safe and associated with very few complications. Its additional therapeutic potential is dependant on the size of the benign lesion as measured at initial ultrasound. ZUSAMMENFASSUNGEinleitung Im Folgenden wurde untersucht, inwiefern die Vakuum-