Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with breast cancer using superparamagnetic iron oxide and a magnetometer

INTERVENTION: Superparamagnetic iron oxide and patent blue dye were injected in the subareolar breast tissue. Following a few minutes of massage to promote migration of iron tracer and blue dye throughout the lymphatic vessels, axillary lymph nodes were detected transdermally using a handheld magnetometer and followed by standard axillary dissection in all patients. CONDITION: breast cancer PRIMARY OUTCOME: To assess rate of identification, sensitivity and false negative in this procedure INCLUSION CRITERIA: patients with clinically node‐negative breast cancer