In the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) technique, which two tracers are injected to identify the sentinel node?

• A Methylene blue dye and Indocyanine green (ICG)
• B Radioiodine I-131 and patent blue
• C Tc-99m pertechnetate and Congo red
• D Tc-99m sulphur colloid and isosulfan blue (patent blue) dye ✓

Explanation

The standard SLNB technique uses dual tracing: Tc-99m sulfur colloid (or nanocolloid) — injected periareolarly/peritumorally the night before or morning of surgery, detected intraoperatively with a hand-held gamma probe; combined with patent blue (isosulfan blue) vital dye — injected at surgery, providing visual identification of blue-stained lymphatics and nodes. Combined dual-tracer technique achieves >95% sentinel node identification rate. ICG with near-infrared fluorescence is an emerging third technique, but the classical combination is radiolabeled colloid + blue dye.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.