Sentinel lymph node in tumors of the larynx: technique and results]

To evaluate the applicability of sentinel node biopsy in NO carcinomas of the larynx.We carried out a prospective study in 19 patients with carcinoma of the larynx NO. We peritumorally infiltrate with 1 mCi 99mTc-labeled nanocolloidal albumin via rigid endoscopy in general anaesthesia. Sentinel node detection is performed with a gamma sonda during lymph node detection. The histological results of the sentinel node are compared with the excised neck dissection specimen.Identification of sentinel node was successful in 17 patients (89.47%). In 11 patients the sentinel node was tumor negative reflecting the correct neck lymph node status (pNO). Three patients had metastases in the sentinel node. We observed three false- negative. The sensitivity of the technique was 50% (3/6) and the negative predictive value 78.6%.We think that more studies are needed to use the technique in the laryngeal cancer and that a correct selection of the patients is essential.