blue dye + technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid

Blue dye + technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid is a dual-tracer diagnostic approach used for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping, primarily in patients with breast cancer and malignant melanoma. This technique involves the concomitant administration of technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid, a radioactive diagnostic agent, and a blue dye tracer (such as isosulfan blue, patent blue, or methylene blue). The technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid component consists of radioactive particles that are transported through the lymphatic system and trapped by macrophages in the lymph nodes, allowing for detection via lymphoscintigraphy or a handheld gamma probe. The blue dye provides a visual guide for the surgeon to identify the stained sentinel nodes during surgery. This dual-tracer method is considered a standard of care for identifying the first nodes to receive drainage from a tumor, helping to determine the extent of metastatic spread while minimizing the unnecessary removal of non-sentinel nodes.

Brand names

Lymphazurin

Other names

dual-tracer techniqueradioisotope and blue dyeTc-99m sulfur colloid and blue dyeTc99m sulfur colloid and blue dyeTc 99m sulfur colloid and blue dye