Nyirokoscintria

Nyirokoscintria, also known as lymphoscintigraphy, is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the lymphatic system. It involves the injection of a small amount of a radioactive tracer, typically technetium-99m-labeled sulfur colloid or nanocolloid, near a tumor or a suspected area of lymphatic drainage. The tracer is then taken up by the lymphatic vessels and transported towards the nearest lymph nodes, known as sentinel lymph nodes.

A gamma camera is used to detect the radiation emitted by the tracer, allowing physicians to map the path of lymphatic drainage and identify the sentinel lymph nodes. These nodes are the first to potentially receive cancer cells if a tumor spreads. The sentinel lymph nodes are then surgically removed and examined for the presence of cancer.

Lymphoscintigraphy is primarily used in the staging of certain cancers, particularly melanoma and breast cancer, to determine if the disease has spread to the lymph nodes. This information is crucial in guiding treatment decisions, such as whether further lymph node dissection or adjuvant therapy is necessary. The procedure is generally safe, with minimal risks associated with the radioactive tracer, which is excreted from the body relatively quickly. It provides valuable diagnostic information that can significantly impact patient management and prognosis.