Dynamic studies of the lymphatic systems of 26 cases, of which 4 were healthy volunteers, were performed using an intradermal injection of Tc-99m human serum albumin (Tc-99m HSA). With the assistance of a computer, sequential images and time-activity curves of lymphatic vessels and/or lymph nodes were obtained for a period of 30 min after the injection from the cases who took no physical exercise. The image of the axillary or inguinal lymph nodes was identified 2-4 min after injection in cases with a normal lymphatic flow. The delayed appearance of radionuclide, the collateral pathways and the obstruction of the lymphatic system were clearly observed in patients with a flow disorder. The clearance rate at the injection site of Tc-99m HSA was approximately twice as fast as that of Tc-99m rhenium sulfide colloid. The high pressure in the dense connective tissue caused by intradermal injection and the high specific radioactivity of Tc-99m HSA were thought to be important factors for obtaining excellent dynamic lymphoscintigraphy.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bone scintigraphy in patients with breast cancer: malignant involvement of the sternum.

The cause of malignant involvement of the sternum is thought to be hematogeneous seeding as well as direct invasion from parasternal lymph node metastasis. The purpose of this study was to examine the pattern of metastasis to the sternum in patients with breast cancer and to evaluate the usefulness of postoperative irradiation for controlling sternal metastasis. Of 306 consecutive cases that were retrospectively reviewed, 16 (5.2%) were found to have sternal metastasis. Six cases had only the sternal lesion as the initial site of bone metastasis, and the others had a sternal lesion as part of multiple metastases. Three of 5 cases with a solitary sternal lesion were found by follow-up bone scintigraphy to have expanded to multiple bone metastases. The incidence of sternal metastases in patients with postoperative irradiation was significantly lower than that in nonirradiated patients (p < 0.001). Although the incidence of sternal involvement in patients with breast cancer was not low, it might be diminished by postoperative irradiation.

Adult↗