Clinical application of 99Tc m-sulfur colloid lymphoscintigraphy in the diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema after gynecological tumor surgery / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To explore the significance of 99Tc m-sulfur colloid lymphoscintigraphy in the diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema after gynecological tumor surgery. Methods:The clinical data of patients with lower limb lymphedema after gynecological tumor surgery in Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from May 2015 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. 99Tc m-sulfur colloid lymphoscintigraphy was performed in all patients. The results of lymphatic vessel imaging, lymph node imaging and their combination in the diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema were analyzed. The diagnostic efficacy of lymphatic vessel imaging alone, lymph node imaging alone and their combination was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC), and the Youden index, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results:Among the 100 lower limbs of 50 patients, 56 limbs had lymphedema and 44 limbs had no obvious edema. When diagnosis was based on abnormal lymphatic vessel imaging alone, among 56 lower limbs with lymphedema, lower limbs lymphatic vessel imaging was positive in 38 (67.9%) and negative in 18 (32.1%); among 44 lower limbs without obvious edema, lower limbs lymphatic vessel imaging was positive in 6 (13.6%) and negative in 38 (86.4%); the sensitivity was 67.9%, the specificity was 86.4%, and the Youden index was 0.543. When diagnosis was based on abnormal lymph node imaging alone, among 56 lower limbs with lymphedema, lower limbs lymph node imaging was positive in 42 (75.0%) and negative in 14 (25.0%); among 44 lower limbs without obvious edema, lower limbs lymph node imaging was positive in 13 (29.5%) and negative in 31 (70.5%); the sensitivity was 75.0%, the specificity was 70.5%, and the Youden index was 0.455. When diagnosis was based on the combination of lymphatic vessel imaging and lymph node imaging, among 56 lower limbs with lymphedema, lymphatic vessel imaging and lymph node imaging were positive in 48 (85.7%) and negative in 8 (14.3%); among 44 lower limbs without obvious edema, lymphatic vessel imaging and lymph node imaging were positive in 14 (31.8%) and negative in 30 (68.2%); the sensitivity was 85.7%, the specificity was 68.2%, and the Youden index was 0.539. The AUC for the combined diagnosis of lymphatic vessel imaging and lymph node imaging was 0.781, the AUC for the diagnosis of abnormal lymphatic vessel imaging was 0.771, and the AUC for the diagnosis of abnormal lymph node imaging was 0.739 (all P < 0.01). Conclusions:99Tc m-sulfur colloid lymphoscintigraphy is of great help in the diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema after operation of gynecological tumors. The combination of lymph node imaging and lymphatic vessel imaging is more effective in the diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema.

Value of 99Tcm-Tilmanocept and 99Tcm-sulfur colloid SPECT/CT for the detection of sentinel lymph node in breast cancer patients / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of 99Tcm-Tilmanocept(TMC) SPECT/CT for the detection of SLN by comparing with 99Tcm-sulfur colloid(SC) SPECT/CT. Methods From March 2016 to September 2016, a total of 160 patients (age range: 30-70 years), selected from Breast Surgery Department of Shandong Cancer Hospital, underwent SPECT/CT and planar imaging with either 99Tcm-TMC (TMC group, n=76) or 99Tcm-SC (SC group, n=84). The results of SLN SPECT/CT and planar imaging were compared. The positive rate of SLN in SPECT/CT was compared with operative results. One-way analysis of variance, χ2 test, and two-sample t test were used for data analysis. Results The radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-TMC (≥92%) had no significant difference in 4 h(F=0.720, P>0.05). In TMC group, the average number of SLN detected by SPECT/CT imaging was higher than that by planar imaging (1.34±0.64 vs 0.96±034; t=4556, P0.05). The average number of SLN detected by 99Tcm-TMC imaging was significantly lower than that detected by 99Tcm-SC (t=9.115, P<0.05). The intraoperative detection rates of SLN were 100% (76/76 and 84/84) in both groups. The average number of SLN detected during operation in TMC group was significantly lower than that in SC group (1.89±0.86 vs 3.05±1.29; t=6.642, P<0.01). In TMC group, the average number of SLN detected during operation was significantly higher than that detected by SPECT/CT(1.89±086 vs 1.34±0.64; t=4.492, P<0.05). In SC group, the average number of SLN detected during operation was significantly higher than that detected by SPECT/CT(3.05±1.29 vs 2.57±0.99; t=2.740, P<005). Conclusions SPECT/CT is superior to planar imaging for the detection and localization of SLN. 99Tcm-TMC is suitable for SLN imaging and intraoperative detection.

Diagnostic value of radionuclide salivagram in pediatric pulmonary aspiration / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of radionuclide salivagram in children with pulmonary aspiration.Methods From March 2012 to June 2015,a total of 62 patients (37 males,25 females;age range:2 d-14 years) with suspected pediatric aspiration pneumonia were enrolled in this retrospective study.All patients underwent gastroesophageal reflux (GER) imaging and(or) radionuclide salivagram.Detection rate of pulmonary aspiration by the two imaging techniques was compared with x2 test.Results Of 62 patients,14 were diagnosed as pulmonary aspiration,including 1 detected by GER imaging,and 13 detected by salivagram.The detection rate for pulmonary aspiration by radionuclide salivagram (26.0％,13/50) was significantly higher than that by GER imaging (3.1％,1/32;x2=7.211,P＜0.05).Eight of the 13 cases with pulmonary aspiration diagnosed by radionuclide salivagram underwent upper gastrointestinal radiography,and 5 cases had visible contrast agent in the airway.Conclusion Radionuclide salivagram has a higher detection rate for pulmonary aspiration compared to GER imaging,and has good concordance with the traditional upper gastrointestinal radiography.

Value of salivagram in the diagnosis of pulmonary aspiration in pediatric patients / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To investigate the value of salivagram in the diagnosis of pediatric pulmonary aspiration.Methods A total of 469 pediatric patients (age:6 weeks-16 years,average age (4.5±3.1) years;229 males,240 females) underwent salivagram.Signed informed consents were obtained.99Tcm-SC (11.1 MBq,100 μl) was dropped into the root of tongue.After the dropping,the posterior dynamic acquisition was started for 60 min,and then the anterior and posterior static images were acquired for 5 min.All patients were followed up for 3-6 months after the salivagram,and the salivagram results were analyzed.If radioactivity was shown in the main bronchus or bilateral lung fields,the pulmonary aspiration was diagnosed.Results Salivagram demonstrated positive results in 20.7％ (97/469) of the patients.However,3 patients with pulmonary aspiration showed negative results.There was no false positive result on salivagram.Conclusion Salivagram shows good results in the diagnosis of pediatric pulmonary aspiration.

Effect and apoptosis of percutaneous intratumoral injection with 188Re labeled stannic sulfur colloid on VX2 liver tumor in rabbits / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rabbit VX2 liver tumor model by percutaneous intratumoral injection with 188Re labeled stannic sulfur colloid.Methods The VX2 liver tumor model was established in 45 rabbits,which were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n =15) according to material used in intratumoral injections,as follows:0.1 ml normal saline (Group A,control group),absolute ethanol 1ml (Group B),37MBq (1mCi) 188Re labeled stannic sulfur colloid 0.1 ml (Group C).Five rabbits from each group were killed at intervals of 1,4 and 7d after injection and the volume of tumors were measured.Meanwhile,the histopathological changes and extent of cell apoptosis were evaluated.ALT and urea levels before the operation and at intervals of 1,4,7d post injection were also detected.Results In the first day after the injection,there was no significant statistical heterogeneity of the tumor volumes between each group.At 4th day post injection,tumor volumes of group A [(1 873.1 ± 77.3) mm3] showed significant statistical heterogeneity with group B [(905.7 ± 113.3) mm3] and C [(860.2 ± 59.6) mm3] (P ＜0.01),while there were no obvious statistical significance between group B and group C (P =0.421).At 7th day post injection,there were marked statistical significance of tumor volumes between A,B and C groups[respectively,(4093.1 ± 126.5)mm3,[(2569.5 ±64.6)mm3 and (2 169.6 ± 141.9)mm3](P＜0.01).At any time after injection,the apoptosis index (AI) of peritumoral tissue in group B and C was higher than control group with statistical significance (P ＜ 0.001).At 4th day post injection,AI of group C remained higher than group B (P ＜ 0.05).At 7th day,AI of group C progressively decreased,and there were no statistical difference between group B and group C (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Percutaneous intratumoral injection of 188Re labeled stannic sulfur colloid is a safety and effective approach to the treatment of VX2 liver tumor in rabbits.

Effects of different preparation methods and injection sites of 99Tcm-sulfur colloid on sentinel lymph node detection in breast cancer / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To prospectively investigate the optimal setting for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer by comparing the effects of different preparation methods and injection sites of 99Tcm-SC in sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and detection.Methods Two batches of 99Tcm-SC were prepared by boiling for 3 min (radiotracer 1) and 5 min (radiotracer 2),respectively.Radioactive chemical purity (RCP) and size of colloid particles were measured at 10 min,1 h,2 h and 4 h after the preparation.One hundred and forty-seven patients with breast cancer were involved and randomly divided into 3 groups.Group A consisted of 40 patients with periareolar injection of radiotracer 1,group B of 40 patients with periareolar injection of radiotracer 2,and group C of 67 patients with peritumoral injection of radiotracer 2.Lymphatic mapping was performed for all patients using SPECT/CT preoperatively and blue dye was subdermally injected over the tumor.The detection rate of the axillary and internal mammary SLN was recorded.One-way analysis of variance,independent two-sample t and x2 tests were used to analyze the data.Results There was no significant difference of RCP between the two radiotracers at 10 min,1 h,2 h and 4 h after preparation (t =-0.267,-0.794,0.826 and-0.977,all P＞0.05).Compared with radiotracer 1,the percentage of particles smaller than 100 nm in radiotracer 2 reduced significantly ((73.72±2.36) ％ vs (65.25±3.56)％,t=6.436,P＜0.05) and the mean effective particle size was significantly larger ((45.27±6.42) nm vs (75.59t7.04) nm,t=7.315,P＜0.05).In groups A,B and C,the detection rate of the internal mammary SLN was 70.0％ (28/40),47.5％ (19/40) and 17.9％ (12/67),respectively,with significant difference (x2=29.525,P＜0.05).In groups A,B and C,the detection rate of the axillary SLN was 100％ (40/40),95.0％ (38/40) and 97.0％ (65/67),respectively,without significant difference (x2 =2.686,P＞ 0.05).Conclusion For SLNB of patients with breast cancer,the axillary and internal mammary SLN could be better detected by SPECT/CT lymphatic mapping using radiotracer prepared with a shorter boiling time,via periareolar injection,and combined with subdermal injection of blue dye.

Extramedullary Pulmonary Hematopoiesis Causing Pulmonary Hypertension and Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation Detected by Technetium-99m Sulfur Colloid Bone Marrow Scan and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/CT

Extramedullary pulmonary hematopoiesis is a rare entity with a limited number of case reports in the available literature only. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with known primary myelofibrosis, in whom a Technetium-99m sulfur colloid bone marrow scan with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT revealed a pulmonary hematopoiesis as the cause of pulmonary hypertension and severe tricuspid regurgitation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of Technetium-99m sulfur colloid SPECT/CT imaging in this rare condition.

Detection of aspiration using 99Tcm-sulfur colloid salivary scintigraphy in patients with respiratory tract diseases / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To establish and assess the utility of 99Tcm-sulfur colloid (SC) salivary imaging in the routine evaluation of pulmonary aspiration in adult patients with respiratory tract diseases.Methods Eight patients (7 men,1 woman; age range 68 to 80 years,mean age (76 ± 4) years) with respiratory tract disease and history of aspiration by clinical assessment were evaluated prospectively by 99Tcm-SC salivary imaging from April to July 2012.A dose of 74.0 MBq 99Tcm-SC was added to 20 ml saline,mixed well,and administered orally to patients.Dynamic imaging was acquired with posterior projection for 30 min at a rate of 30 s per frame.Two experienced physicians assessed all examination results and reached consensus for final diagnosis.Radioactivity detected at either the bronchi or within the lung fields was reported as positive for aspiration.This study was approved by the institutional review board of Hospital Ethical Committee,and the written informed consent was obtained from patients or their guardians.Results All patients were positive for aspiration by 99Tcm-SC salivary imaging (8/8).Aspiration into bilateral main bronchus was seen in 2 cases,right main bronchus and branch in 4 cases,and left main bronchus and branch in 2 cases.Aspirated tracer could be visualized as early as 3 min,latest at 24 min,and the median was 19 min.Conclusion 99Tcm-SC salivary imaging is useful for the detection of aspiration in adult patients with respiratory tract diseases.

Diagnostic value of radionuclide imaging combined with routine CT in detecting hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia / 中华核医学杂志

Objective To investigate radionuclide imaging and routine CT in diagnosing hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and the combined diagnostic value of the two modalities. Methods Thirty-two patients with hepatic FNH were retrospectively studied. All patients underwent routine CT scan. Twenty-four patients were examined by 99Tcm-sulfur colloid (SC) hepatic planar scintigraphy and SPECT/CT imaging, and then patients who had abnormal foci underwent 99Tcm-diethyl iminodiacetic acid (EHIDA) triple-phase hepatobiliary imaging. x2 -test of four-table or Fisher exact probabilities in 2 × 2 table was applied for statistical analysis. Results Of all 32 patients pathologically diagnosed as FNH with single solitary nodule, 25 were classified as classic type and the rest 7 as non-classic type. Although routine CT found all hepatic lesions, only 15 cases were diagnosed pathologically as FNH classic type but the rest were either misdiagnosed or left as indeterminate. On radionuclide imaging (hepatic colloid scintigraphy plus triple-phase hepatobiliary images), 11 patients with big foci (with maximal diameter ＞3 cm) out of 24 patients were correctly diagnosed as FNH, with 7 diagnosed as classic type FNH and 4 as non-classic. Other 13 patients were either misdiagnosed or simply missed. The diagnosing rates of routine CT and radionuclide imaging were60.0% (15/25) and 38.9% (7/18) for FNH classic type, 0/7 and 4/6 for non-classic type,50.0% (10/20) and 73.3% (11/15) for big foci, 41.7% (5/12) and 0/9 forsmall foci (with maximal diameter≤3 cm), respectively. The total diagnosing rate of radionuclide imaging combined with routine CT was significantly higher than that of routine CT or radionuclide imaging alone ( x2 = 4. 48, P ＜ 0. 05;x2 =4.27, P ＜0.05 ). Conclusion Radionuclide imaging in combination with routine CT may improve the diagnostic accuracy for hepatic FNH patients.

Sentinel lymph node detection in early stage cervical cancer with combined radioisotope and blue dye method / 中华核医学杂志

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and clinical value of detecting sentinel lymph node (SLN) with combined radioisotope and blue dye method in early stage cervical cancer. Methods Between March 2005 and April 2006, 50 patients with cervical cancer, who were staged Ⅰ b and Ⅱ a by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), underwent SLN detection with preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. A dose of 148 MBq (4×10-4L) 99Tcm-sulfur colloid (SC) was injected into the uterine cervix at 3 and 9 o'clock position with lymphoscintigraphy taken at 15-60 min after injection. Intraoperative detection of "hot spot" lymph nodes was performed with a handheld gamma probe (γ-detection). During operation, 2-4 ml metend blue dye (BD-detection) was injected into the uterine cervix at the same positions. All patients underwent hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The spatial and pathological relationships of the SLN samples were compared between the two methods. SPSS 13.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results The detection rate of SLN with combined radioisotope and blue dye was 96.0% (48/50). γ-detection alone was 92.0% (46/50) and BD-detection alone was 70.0% (35/50, x2=4.92, P<0.05). In 37 patients lymphoseintigraphy showed the same SLN as γ-detection did, with a coincidence rate of 74.0% (37/50). The SLN with metastases were confirmed by histopathology in 11/48 (22.9%) patients. In the remaining 37 patients with SLN negative for metastasis, there was 1 case with non-SLN showing metastasis. In the 2 patients negative for SLN, 1 was positive for non-SLN metastasis. The SLN accuracy rate was therefore 97.9% (47/48), and the negative predictive value was 97.3% (36/37) with one patient false negative. About 72.3 % (115/159) of SLN were found in obturator region, 5.0% (8/ 159) in iuteriliac region, 12.0% (19/159) in external iliac chain, 6.9% (11/159) in common iliac region and 3.8% (6/159) in parametrium. The number of left-sided SLN detected was more than that of the right (x2=5.06, P=0.021 ). Conclusion Combined radioisotope and blue dye technique is a feasible and valuable tool to detect pelvic SLN in patients with early uterine cervical malignancy.

New applications of radioguided surgery in oncology

OBJECTIVE: To report oncological cases (excluding those related to breast cancer) for which radioguided surgery has been used in combination with the Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization technique. INTRODUCTION: Radioguided surgery enables a surgeon to identify lesions or tissues that have been preoperatively marked with radioactive substances. The Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization technique has been widely used to identify the sentinel lymph node and occult lesions in patients with breast cancer. However, few studies have reported the use of this technique for non-breast cancer pathologies. METHODOLOGY: In all cases, injection of Technecium-99m sulfur colloid was performed, directly inside or near by the suspicious lesion, guided by ultrasound or computed tomography, up to 36 hours prior to the surgical procedure. Intraoperative lesion detection was carried out using a gamma-probe. RESULTS: We report five oncology cases in which preoperative markings of the lesions were carried out using the Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization technique. The patients presented with the following: recurrence of renal cell carcinoma, cervical recurrence of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, recurrence of retroperitoneal sarcoma, lesions of the popliteal fossa, and recurrence of rhabdomyosarcoma of a thigh. In each case, the lesions that were marked preoperatively were ultimately successfully excised. CONCLUSIONS: Radioguided surgery has proven to be a safe and effective alternative for the management of oncology patients. The Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization technique can be useful in selected cases where suspect lesions may be difficult to identify intraoperatively, due to their dimensions or anatomical location. The procedure allows for more conservative excisions and reduces the surgery-related morbidity.

A comparative study of the clinical features and hematobiochemical indices between the lung-uptake group and the non-lung-uptake group of malarial patients undergoing liver scanning / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Lung uptake during liver scanning has been considered as a passing phenomenon related to several diseases, and especially infectious diseases and malignancy. Some reports have shown diffuse lung uptake during liver scanning of malarial patients. Therefore, we tried to determine the relationship between the abnormalities of the clinical features, including the hematobiochemical indices and the lung uptake during liver scanning, by analyzing the information of the malarial patients. METHODS: We performed 99mTechnethium(Tc)-sulfur colloid liver scanning on 20 of the 45 malarial patients who were admitted from 1999 to 2004. We divided them into two groups, the Lung-Uptake (LU) group and the Non-Lung-Uptake (NLU) group. We analyzed the hematobiochemical indices and clinical features, including the respiratory symptoms, between the two groups. RESULTS: 10 of the 20 malarial patients showed lung uptake on the liver scan. The mean platelet counts were 74,000/L and 165,000/L, respectively, in the LU group and the NLU group (p=0.012). Also, the mean total cholesterol levels were 80.3 mg/dL and 105.7 mg/dL, respectively, in the LU group and the NLU group (p=0.033). The scores ofthe bone marrow (BM) uptake in the LU group were higher than those in the NLU group (p=0.008). Yet the other values such as Hb, ALT, albumin and total bilirubin were not statistically significant, nor were the peak body temperatureand other features. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the patients had lung uptake on the liver scanning, and this may be considered as a characteristic of vivax malaria. The BM uptake during liver scanning in the LU group was more increased, and this is supposed to be a consequence of hyperstimulated reticuloendothelial system, which was accompanied by thrombocytopenia and a lower level of total cholesterol in malarial patients.

Preparation and Biodistribution of Re-188-Sulfur Colloid Suspension in Lipiodol / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Lipiodol is used for targeting liver cancers by administrating through the hepatic artery. In the present study, feasibility of Re-188-sulfur colloid suspension in lipiodol as a liver cancer targeting agent was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Re-188-sulfur colloid was prepared, harvested by centrifugation, washed with organic solvent and then suspended into lipiodol. Biodistribution of Re-188-sulfur colloid in normal saline and its suspension in lipiodol in mice after 1 hr of injection through the tail vein were investigated. Biodistribution and autoradiography of tumor-bearing liver was acquired after 5 min post-injection into left ventricle of the tumor-inoculated rats. RESULTS: After 1 hr of injection with Re-188-sulfur colloid suspensiob in lipiodol through the tail vein in normal mice (n=3), the uptakes in the liver and lung were 5.2+/-0.7 and 91.0+/-1.7% ID/organ, respectively. After 5 min of injection with Re-188-sulfur colloid suspention in lipiodol through the left ventricle in the tumor-inoculated rats (n=4), uptakes in the normal liver, hepatoma, and lung were 0.41+/-0.28, 1.88+/-1.57, and 1.65+/-1.54% ID/organ, respectively. And autoradiography of hepatoma showed increased uptake than normal liver tissues. CONCLUSION: Re-188-sulfur colloid suspension in lipiodol injected through the artery shows higher uptake in the hepatoma than normal liver tissue that indicates the feasibility as a new radiopharmaceutical for therapy of hepatoma.

Preparation and Biodistribution of Re-188 Sulfru Colloid / 대한핵의학회잡지

PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness of Re-188 sulfur colloid for radiation synovectomy and therapy of intraperitoneal metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the labeling efficiency of Re-188 sulfur colloid on various conditions. The stability of Re-188 sulfur colloid was observed at room temperature for 24 h and in human serum and synovial fluid for 72 h. The particle size distribution of Re-188 sulfur colloid was rneasured by filtering with various pore size filters. Animal experiment was performed in mice and rabbits. RESULTS: The labeling efficiency of Re-188 sulfur colloid was 64,5+/-5.8% (n=5) at the conditions of sodium thiosulfate 40 mg, EDTA Na2.2H2O 0,8 mg, KReO4 0.8 mg at pH l. After purification, the radiochemical purity was higher than 99%. The stability of Re-188 sulfur colloid was high (>99%) at room temperature for 24 h and in human serum and synovial fluid for 72 h. The particle size distribution of Re-188 sulfur colloid was 0.3% (10 micrometer). In mice, 1 h postinjection of Re-188 sulfur colloid into tail vein, uptakes in lung, liver and muscle were 37.30+/-5.36, 32.33+/-5.79, 6.60+/-0.02% 1D/organ respectively. After I.p. injection in rnice, the uptakes of extraperitonial organs of Re-188 sulfur colloid at 1 and 24 h were 0.1+/-0.1, 0.4+/-0.1% ID/organ, and the excretions through urine and feces (~70 h) were low (2.68+/-0.80, 0.95+/-0.17%). When Re-188 sulfur colloid was injected to synovial space of rabbit, the uptake in other organs except knee was very low. CONCLUSION: Re-188 sulfur colloid showed high labeling efficiency, stability and potency for clinical use.

Lymphoscintigraphy for lateral lymph node drainage in low rectal cancer / 中国普通外科杂志

ObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic value of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy for lateral lymph node metastasis in low rectal cancer. MethodsFrom May 1999 to March 2001, pelvic and lower abdominal lymphoscintigraphy with 99mTc sulfur colloid was performed on 32 patients with proven colorectal cancer one day prior to operation. Among these patients were 27 rectal cancers, 3 sigmoid cancers and 2 colon cancers. Fifteen cases of rectal cancer with the tumor located at or below the peritoneal reflection received extended lymphadenectomy with lateral dissection (D3 lymphadenectomy). The result of lymphoscintigrams was correlated with histologic lateral node examination. Results The image ratio of pararectal nodes, obturator nodes, and internal iliac aorti lymph trains was 69%, 91%, and 100% respectively. In 15 patients receiving D3 lymphadenectomy, 10 had negative lymphoscintigrams whereas 5 had positive image, and the lateral pathology positive rate was 13%(2/15). Analysis of these results revealed the sensitivity (100%), specificity (77%) and accuracy (80%) of this diagnostic method. ConclusionPelvic and lower abdominal lymphoscintigraphy with 99mTc sulfur colloid could demonstrate the lateral lymph node drainage of low rectal cancer, and the correlation with postoperative histologic lateral node examination was high enough to enable surgeons to adopt an individualized surgical approach.