Unexpected Lymphatic Drainage of the Treated Breast

Clin Nucl Med. 2019 Sep;44(9):732-734. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000002705.

Abstract

This case highlights the use of lymphoscintigraphy with SPECT/CT in patients with previous chest and/or axillary surgery. A 67-year-old woman with a history of left breast carcinoma treated with lumpectomy and radiotherapy, and a second lumpectomy of the ipsilateral breast for a second breast carcinoma, underwent a lymphoscintigraphy for a new left breast lesion. Planar images visualized an alternative lymphatic drainage to the contralateral axilla and to the left paravertebral area. SPECT/CT confirmed sentinel nodes in both stations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphoscintigraphy
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Sentinel Lymph Node / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sentinel Lymph Node / pathology*
  • Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Computed Tomography