Radioactive iodine-125 seed localization as an aid in reoperative neck surgery.

BACKGROUND

Scarring and disrupted tissue planes add to already-complex neck anatomy and make localization of nonpalpable pathology difficult in cervical endocrine reoperations. We describe the use of radioactive iodine-125 seed localization (RSL) in 6 patients with metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 2 with recurrent hyperparathyroidism.

METHODS

Eight patients had 2-D ultrasound-guided RSL of the target lesion, 0-3 days preoperatively. Intraoperative gamma probe (Neoprobe) was used to plan incision placement and localize the implanted seed. Recorded operative variables included: number of lymph nodes (LNs) harvested, estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, length of stay (LOS) and RSL and operative complications.

RESULTS

All patients had successful resection of the targeted area and removal of the radioactive seed. There was no seed migration. Two complications occurred in the thyroid group.

CONCLUSION

Radioactive iodine 125 seeds facilitate successful localization of endocrine pathology during reoperative cervical procedures.