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Deposition of superparamagnetic iron‐oxide nanoparticles in axillary sentinel lymph nodes following subcutaneous injection
Author(s) -
Johnson Laura,
Pinder Sarah E,
Douek Michael
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.12019
Subject(s) - sentinel lymph node , medicine , breast cancer , pathology , lymph , ex vivo , metastasis , haematoxylin , biopsy , in vivo , h&e stain , magnetic resonance imaging , lymph node , axillary lymph nodes , radiology , cancer , staining , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Aims Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle ( SPIO )‐enhanced axillary lymph node magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) has the potential to supersede sentinel lymph node ( SLN ) biopsy in the management of early breast cancer with in vivo pre‐operative metastasis detection. We evaluated the distribution and extent of SPIO s within the SLN and its impact on routine histological assessment. Methods and results A total of 131 SLN s from 51 consecutive patients with breast cancer were examined histologically following subcutaneous injection of 2–4 ml SPIO s. SLN s were identified intra‐operatively using the combined technique. Ex vivo histological analysis was performed and the distribution of SPIO s assessed using standard haematoxylin and eosin staining. SPIO distribution was predominantly within lymph node sinuses (81%); fewer nodes contained iron in the subcapsular space (24%) and parenchyma (14%). In 58%, SPIO s were sequestered in macrophages. SPIO s were not seen within the areas of nodes containing metastases, but was seen surrounding the metastases. Conclusions Following subcutaneous injection of SPIO s, iron deposition is found predominantly in sinuses and the subcapsular space and is not found in areas containing metastases. This reinforces the notion that high resolution SPIO ‐enhanced MRI has the potential for in vivo metastasis in the SLN in breast cancer. Routine histological examination was unaffected.