Predicting axillary lymph node involvement in breast cancer patients by ultrasonography

11075 Background: About 20% of breast cancer patients eligible for sentinel node (SN) biopsy have axillary node metastases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the sensitivity of preoperative ultrasonography (US) for SN involvement. Methods: Between October 2004 and May 2006, a total of 141 breast cancer patients without clinically node involvement were eligible for SN biopsy. The size (length and height) and cortical thickness of lymph nodes (LN) was measured by US before surgery. Results: Twenty-four (20%) of 141 patients had pathologically involved LN (Positive Group), and 118 (80%) were negative for LN metastases (Negative Group). No LN was detected in 25 patients (21%) of the negative group by US. The number of detected LN was more in the positive group than the negative group (1.59 vs 1.13, p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the size of LN between the two groups. The cortical layer of LN was thicker in the positive group than the negative group (3.11 vs 2.12, p<0.05). Eighteen pati...