Breast cancer or malignant melanoma setting in adults:

  * In clinical studies, patients received injection of Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection and a concomitant blue dye tracer in order to enhance the ability to detect lymph nodes. Visual inspection was performed to identify the blue-labeled nodes and a hand held gamma counter was used to identify nodes concentrating the radiopharmaceutical. Multiple methods were used to detect the concentrated radioactivity within lymph nodes. For example, investigators used thresholds of background radioactivity to localize nodes containing a minimum of radioactive counts 3 times higher than the background or containing at least 10 fold higher counts than contiguous nodes .
  * In clinical studies of patients with malignant melanoma, preoperative lymphoscintigraphy was usually performed using planar imaging techniques to establish a road map of nodal basins and to facilitate intraoperative identification of lymph nodes. [see Clinical Studies (14)]
  * Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection and other tracers may not localize all lymph nodes and the tracers may differ in their extent of lymph node localization. The lymph node localization of Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection is dependent upon the underlying patency and structure of the lymphatic system, the extent of functional reticuloendothelial cells within lymph nodes and the radiopharmaceutical injection technique. Distortion of the underlying lymphatic system architecture and function by prior surgery, radiation or extensive metastatic disease may result in failure of the radiopharmaceutical and other tracers to localize lymph nodes. The use of Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection is intended to supplement palpation, visual inspection and other procedures important to lymph node localization. [see Clinical Studies (14)].
  * Peritoneo-venous (LeVeen) shunt setting in adults: Following administration of Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid Injection into the peritoneal cavity, the radiopharmaceutical mixes with the peritoneal fluid. Clearance from the peritoneal cavity varies from insignificant, which may occur with complete shunt blockage, to very rapid clearance with subsequent transfer into the systemic circulation when the shunt is patent. Following transfer into the systemic circulation, the radiopharmaceutical concentrates within the liver (a target organ). Obtain serial images of both the shunt and liver. An adequate evaluation of the difference between total blockage of the shunt and partial blockage may not be feasible in all cases. Transperitoneal absorption of sulfur colloid into the systemic circulation may occur, but it occurs slowly. Therefore, the most definitive scintigraphic evaluation of shunt patency will generally be obtained if there is visualization of both the shunt itself and the liver and/or spleen within the first three hours post intraperitoneal injection of the radiopharmaceutical.
  * Imaging areas of functioning reticuloendothelial cells in liver, spleen or bone marrow: Altered biodistribution with lung and soft tissue uptake instead of reticuloendothelial system has been reported after intravenous injection. The size and physical-chemical properties of the sulfur colloid particles formed from the components of the kit may determine the biodistribution of the colloid and its uptake by the reticuloendothelial system. Diseases affecting the reticuloendothelial system may also alter the expected uptake pattern.
  * Gastroesophageal and pulmonary aspiration imaging studies: To facilitate the imaging of gastroesophageal reflux consider administering Sulfur Colloid by nasogastric tube.