Lymphoscintigraphy is a medical imaging study that uses a radioactive tracer material to obtain images of the lymphatic system. It can be used to identify the sentinel node near a tumor or test for lymphatic obstruction. There are some risks involved, and patients should ask their doctor about the test and any precautions that should be taken.
Lymphoscintigraphy is a medical imaging study in which images of the lymphatic system are obtained with the aid of a radioactive tracer material. These studies are used for a number of different purposes and are performed in a nuclear imaging suite by a technician who has received training in nuclear imaging. The resulting images, known as scintigrams, can be used to develop a treatment plan for the patient or to provide more insight into the effectiveness of a course of treatment.
In this procedure, radioactive material is injected into the area of interest. This material emits gamma rays which are captured by a gamma camera positioned near the patient. As they move through the lymphatic system, the camera can follow the release of radiation, creating a map of the lymphatic system in a series of images. The patient will naturally express the small amount of radioactive material.
A common reason to use lymphoscintigraphy is to identify the sentinel node near a tumor. The sentinel node is the lymph node that is first in line for lymph draining from the tumor. Using lymphoscintigraphy, a doctor can identify this node and use this information during surgery to either biopsy the node or remove the node altogether so it can be checked for evidence of cancer. Sentinel node biopsy can reveal important information about whether or not the cancer has spread and to what extent.
Another reason to use lymphoscintigraphy is in a test for lymphatic obstruction, such as that seen in lymphedema and lymphoma. In this case, the area of suspected obstruction will be injected with the tracer and lymphoscintigraphy will be used to identify the site of obstruction, if present. This information can be used to make decisions about a treatment plan or to gather information that will help a doctor arrive at a diagnosis.
There are some risks in this procedure. It is not recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as the baby may be exposed to radiation. While radiation exposure from a single lymphoscintigraphy procedure is not a cause for concern, a clinician may be concerned about cumulative exposure over a lifetime, which can become a concern for patients undergoing cancer treatment or for patients who have a history of radiation exposure for other reasons.
When a lymphoscintigraphy study is recommended, a patient should ask why the test was ordered, what the possible results might be, and whether or not special precautions should be observed.
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