New method of visualizing lymphatics in lung cancer patients by multidetector computed tomography.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and acceptability of a new method of visualizing lymphatics, including sentinel lymph nodes (SNs), in lung cancer patients using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Methods: Images were obtained using an MDCT scanner (Asteion Multi 4 Detector-Row; Toshiba) at 1, 2, and 3 minutes after percutaneous injection of 1 mL contrast medium (iohexol) near the tumor in 15 patients with small peripheral lung cancers (cT1N0M0). A lymph node was confirmed to be an SN if the attenuation was more than 30 Hounsfield units greater on postcontrast images than on precontrast images.

[A review and development of sentinel node navigation surgery for lung cancer].

Sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) for lung caner has not yet been established. Sentinel node (SN) identification using dye or radioisotope has been developed; however, the SN identification rate was less than 50% in the dye method and use of radioisotopes is strongly restricted in Japan. The novel method using a CT or MRI contrast medium are expected.