SPIO-enhanced MRI in Oral Cancer for Sentinel Lymph Node Identification

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Sentinel Lymph Node Identification in Oral Cancer: a Feasibility Study

To explore the feasibility of sentinel lymph node identification by SPIO injection followed by MRI in head-and-neck cancer patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female aged >18 years.
• Patients with histopathologically proven cT1-2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.
• Patients planned to undergo routine sentinel node biopsy with 99mTc-radioisotope and SPECT-CT.
• Patient provided written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who underwent previous surgery or radiotherapy to the neck.
• Contra-indications to SPIO (Hypersensitivity to iron oxide or dextran compounds, Presence of iron overload disease (hereditary hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, chronic hemolytic anemia (e.g. thalassemia, sickle cell anemia))
• Contra-indications to MRI: Epilepsy, Claustrophobia, Metallic splinters, Pacemaker, pacemaker wires or implanted defibrillator, Implanted magnets in jaw, Metallic Arterial clips (carotid arteries), Pregnancy, Auditory implant, neurogenic bladder stimulator, insulin pump, neurostimulator, baclofen pump, Metallic tissue expander after mastectomy, Cochlear implant, Metallic braces, Other foreign bodies implanted
• Unable to provide informed consent.