Sentinel node biopsy has been shown to be a viable alternative to elective neck dissection in the early stages of squamous cell oral carcinoma. The aim of this study was to describe the magnetic localization of sentinel nodes (SN) after peritumoral injection of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) for treating this type of tumor and to analyze the technique's diagnostic performance in 23 patients. The technique located SNs (with minimal complication) in 95.6 % (22/23) of the patients. Three relapses occurred, one in a patient who had shown negative in magnetic SN location and elective neck dissection. The diagnostic performance of magnetic localization achieved a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 0.80 y 0.94, respectively. Magnetic localization of SNs has been shown to be a reproducible technique that may offer a viable alternative to the conventional technique.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Oral squamous cell carcinoma T1-T2, cN0.
• Absence of alterations to iron metabolism.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous neck surgery.
• Treatment with iron chelators.
• Pregnant

Patients recruited consecutively when diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma at clinical stages I-II by biopsy and magnetic resonance. All patients were intervened by the same surgeon at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at Donostia University Hospital.