Sentinel lymph node detection in thyroid carcinoma using 68Ga-tilmanocept PET/CT: a proof-of-concept study protocol

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a diagnostic staging procedure. The procedure aims to identify the first draining lymph node(s), which are most likely to contain metastases. SLNB is applied in various cancers, but not currently in thyroid carcinoma. However, treatment strategies are changing, making SLNB clinically relevant. SLNB may lead to more accurate staging, prevent unnecessary treatment and help achieve earlier curation. Ga-68-tilmanocept positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) can better localize sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) near the primary tumor than planar scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT. This paper describes the rationale and design of a study investigating SLNB using Ga-68-tilmanocept PET/CT and indocyanine-green-Tc-99m-nanocolloid in ten differentiated and medullary thyroid carcinoma patients. Localization and number of SLNs, pathology result, optimal scan protocol, surgical time and surgeon's experience are examined. Trial Registration Number: 2021-002470-42 (EudraCT). Plain language summary: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can detect or rule out metastases in lymph nodes. SLNB is used in various cancers but not in thyroid cancer. However, due to changing treatment strategies, SLNB might also become valuable in thyroid cancer and lead to more accurate staging, prevent unnecessary treatment and help achieve earlier curation. Ga-68-tilmanocept PET/CT, a new imaging modality, can better localize lymph nodes near the primary tumor than previous imaging modalities, which is essential for SLNB in thyroid carcinoma. This study investigates the feasibility of SLNB in thyroid carcinoma.

Automated summary

This paper describes the rationale and design of a study investigating SLNB using Ga-68-tilmanocept PET/CT and indocyanine-green-Tc-99m-nanocolloid in patients with thyroid carcinoma. The study aims to examine the feasibility of SLNB in thyroid carcinoma.