Preoperative sentinel lymph node mapping of the prostate using PET/CT fusion imaging and Ga-68-labeled tilmanocept in an animal model.

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification with preoperative image guidance may improve pathological staging of prostate cancer by identifying nodes outside the standard template of dissection. Four anesthetized male dogs received an intra-prostatic injection of Ga-68-labeled tilmanocept. Every 20 min the pelvic lymph nodes were imaged using PET/CT fusion imaging.