Buffering the Suffering of Breast Lymphoscintigraphy

Vapocoolant Analgesia for Breast Lymphoscintigraphy: A Prospective Clinical Trial

“…Pain from breast lymphoscintigraphy is considered multifactorial, with the pathophysiology likely including stretching of skin layers and the acidity of the injectant, with the pH usually ranging from 3.5 to 6.0 ( 1 ). Several previously investigated interventions in breast lymphoscintigraphy include use of topical lidocaine ( 2 ) and buffered lidocaine ( 3 , 4 ), among others. However, use of intradermal buffered lidocaine, sometimes itself painful, requires 2 separate needle sticks and may require additional volume administration, which may accentuate skin stretching, whereas use of topical lidocaine requires significant time to be effective, which itself may create a myriad of workflow challenges.…”