Abstract: Objective To evaluate the clinical value of 99mTc-DX combined with methylene blue staining and γ-detecting probe on biopsy or cleaning surgery of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer.Methods167 patients with breast cancer were injected 99mTc-DX 37-74 MBq (1～2mCi) 14～16 hours before surgery to localize the sentinel lymph nodes. According to the scintigraphy of 99mTc-DX, the sentinel lymph nodes were detected by methylence blue staining and γ-detecting probe during biopsy or cleaning surgery. The ratio of correctly localized lymph node for biopsy or cleaning surgery was analyzed according to the result of histopathologic examination.Results The ration of correctly localized sentinel lymph node by 99mTc-DX was 87.4%, while by 99mTc-DX combined with methylene blue staining and γ-detecting probe was 91.6%. The ration of false negative in the combined group was 4.6%.Conclusion 99mTc-DX scintigraphy can show exactly the location, quantity and drainage situation of sentinel lymph nodes in patient with breast cancer. It can help to guide γ-detecting probe during biopsy or cleaning surgery on sentinel lymph nodes of the patient with breast cancer.

Key words: Breast cancer, Sentinel lymph node, Lymph node scintigraphy, 99mTc-DX