A clinical feasibility study of a photoacoustic finder for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients: A prospective cross-sectional study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.pacs.2025.100716
• Publication Date: 2025-04-01T03:30:17Z
• Authors: Moongyu Han; Young Joo Lee; Junho Ahn; Sunghun Nam; Minseong Kim; Jeongwoo Park; Joongho Ahn; Hanyoung Ryu; Youngseok Seo; Byullee Park; Dooreh Kim; Chulhong Kim

The sentinel lymph node (SLNb) is generally performed using radioisotopes, blue dyes, or both to improve false negative rate. However, ionizing radiation involved in a gamma probe with radioisotopes and the dye detection relies on native visual inspection by an operator. To overcome these limitations, we developed photoacoustic finder (PAF), highly sensitive, non-radioactive detector that uses only signal detect SLNs. A total of 121 patients breast cancer were enrolled, 375 nodes excised conventional SLNb. PAF was used measure from nodes. We compared SLN rates each method (gamma probe, inspection, PAF) conducted non-inferiority test. detected 87 % SLNs, comparable (85 %) superior (73 %). Non-inferiority tests confirmed PAF's performance not inferior (p < 0.001) 0.015). Using dual-modal + inspection) as gold standard, showed sensitivity 0.81 specificity 0.63. This study demonstrates PAF, dye, offers non-inferior alternative standard radioactive materials, opening new avenues for radiation-free SLNb future.