INTRODUCTION: SPECT-CT in the detection of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) of @entity0 offers known advantages over conventional planar lymphoscintigraphy. Sometimes, it shows atypical findings like mediastinal lymphatic drainage. We have evaluated these atypical findings showed by SPECT-CT performed in @entity1 with migration to the internal mammary chain (IMC) and their roles in the management of the @entity1 . MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the 56 lymphoscintigraphies (planar and SPECT-CT) of 56 @entity1 (average age: 55  years) diagnosed with @entity0 with IMC migration observed in the planar images. We compared the two techniques, obtaining the number of depicted nodes, atypical locations, their exact anatomical location and their role in the management of the @entity1 . RESULTS: Planar images showed a total number of 81 IMC nodes. SPECT-CT showed 74 nodes in the IMC territory and 14 mediastinal lymphatic nodes in 6 @entity1 . Out of the 81 IMC nodes reported by planar images, seven corresponded to mediastinal nodes. Planar and hybrid images showed 110 and 130 axillary nodes, respectively. SPECT-CT showed additional findings in five @entity1 : three infraclavicular and two supraclavicular nodes that were exactly located. One intramammary node was discarded by the SPECT-CT as a focal skin contamination. CONCLUSION: Mediastinal nodes are unexpected, but not uncommon findings that are important in the planning of SLN biopsy. SPECT-CT found more nodes than planar images, being able to separate mediastinal and IMC nodes, helping to exactly depict the SLN and its relations with anatomical structures.

Role of SPECT-CT in XXXX sentinel node biopsy when internal mammary chain drainage is observed.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient', 'women'] @entity0 :: ('MESH:D001943', 'Disease') :: ['breast cancer']
@entity0 :: (MESH:D001943,Disease) :: ['breast cancer']
