Evaluation of surgical gamma probes for sentinel node localization in cervical and vulvar cancer.

Background: Sentinel node (SN) scintigraphy for cervical and vulvar cancer guides the gynaecological oncologist in finding the metastatic lymph nodes during lymphadenectomy. The role of the surgical gamma probe in the sentinel node concept in gynaecological oncology is to localise (SN) both intra-operatively and transcutaneously. Intra-operative hand-held collimated gamma probes are increasingly used for detection of the sentinel lymph node.

Material And Methods: A comparative evaluation of hand held gamma probes: Neoprobe 1,500, Europrobe, Gamma Finder, Gamma Ray Prospector GRP1 and GPR2 was performed using different detection methods. Laboratory tests were performed in which sensitivity, spatial resolution and angular sensitivity were evaluated.

Results: The results for each gamma probe were summarised and discussed.

Conclusion: Awareness of a gamma probeís capabilities and limitations should be considered in the appropriate selection of a device.