Sentinel Lymph Node Detection by Blue Dye Versus Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging in Colon Cancer

Background/Aim: Nodal staging is used in colorectal cancer (CRC) to determine which patients should receive adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (ICG-FI) in sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection compared to the standard technique. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with CRC admitted for elective colectomy were included (NCT01995591). Ex vivo SLN detection was performed using patent blue (PB) and free ICG injected around the tumor. Results: Identification rates were 95% (19/20) for both techniques. Sensitivity was 43% for PB and 57% for ICG. Correlation between the techniques was 83%. FI was more sensitive in patients with body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m(2). Serial section analysis did not allow for upstaging of patients. Conclusion: The use of ICG-FI is superior to the blue dye technique in patients with a BMI >25 kg/m(2). However, the sensitivity of ICG-FI in SLN detection remains low, with a high rate of false-negative results.