Evaluation of the diagnostic value of preoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) imaging in penile carcinoma patients without palpable inguinal lymph nodes via single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) as compared to planar scintigraphy.

•Preoperative SPECT/CT imaging is able to visualize more sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) than planar scintigraphy.•SPECT/CT imaging allows for a more precise anatomical localization of SLNs.•False positive findings are more likely with planar scintigraphy.•Nonvisualization of SLNs is reduced with SPECT/CT.