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Griffin et al: A combination of pre‐ and intraoperative techniques identifies sentinel lymph nodes in dogs with thyroid carcinoma: A pilot study
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Six dogs with thyroid carcinoma underwent preoperative CT lymphography (CTL) and intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping using methylene blue (MB) and indocyanine green (ICG) with near-infrared (NIR) imaging.
  • SLNs were successfully identified in all dogs (6/6).
  • SLNs included medial retropharyngeal, cranial deep cervical, and superficial cervical nodes.
  • Metastatic carcinoma was found in 3/12 SLNs, in 2/6 dogs.
  • Some discordance occurred between CTL and intraoperative SLN findings (partial match in 3/6).
  • Protocol modifications (e.g., reduced dye volume, post-exposure injection) improved localization and minimized dye diffusion.
  • No intraoperative complications or adverse events occurred.
  • Study supports further investigation of combined SLN mapping techniques in canine thyroid cancer.

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← Articles

Griffin et al: A combination of pre‐ and intraoperative techniques identifies sentinel lymph nodes in dogs with thyroid carcinoma: A pilot study
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Six dogs with thyroid carcinoma underwent preoperative CT lymphography (CTL) and intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping using methylene blue (MB) and indocyanine green (ICG) with near-infrared (NIR) imaging.
  • SLNs were successfully identified in all dogs (6/6).
  • SLNs included medial retropharyngeal, cranial deep cervical, and superficial cervical nodes.
  • Metastatic carcinoma was found in 3/12 SLNs, in 2/6 dogs.
  • Some discordance occurred between CTL and intraoperative SLN findings (partial match in 3/6).
  • Protocol modifications (e.g., reduced dye volume, post-exposure injection) improved localization and minimized dye diffusion.
  • No intraoperative complications or adverse events occurred.
  • Study supports further investigation of combined SLN mapping techniques in canine thyroid cancer.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Griffin 2025 et al., on sentinel lymph mapping, which lymph nodes were most commonly identified as sentinel?

A. Caudal superficial cervical and axillary
B. Cranial mediastinal and mandibular
C. Medial retropharyngeal, cranial deep cervical, superficial cervical
D. Prescapular and popliteal
E. Submandibular and iliac

Answer: Medial retropharyngeal, cranial deep cervical, superficial cervical

Explanation: These three lymphocenters were repeatedly identified via pre- and intra-operative SLN techniques.
In Griffin 2025 et al., on sentinel lymph mapping, what was the SLN identification success rate across all dogs?

A. 83%
B. 100%
C. 67%
D. 50%
E. 92%

Answer: 100%

Explanation: All six dogs had at least one sentinel lymph node identified using combined mapping techniques.
In Griffin 2025 et al., on sentinel lymph mapping, what protocol change improved SLN visualization intraoperatively?

A. Use of larger dye volumes
B. Post-ligation ICG injection
C. Increased MB concentration
D. Post-exposure injection with smaller volume
E. CT-guided injection with biopsy

Answer: Post-exposure injection with smaller volume

Explanation: Injecting a lower volume after cervical exposure helped prevent dye dispersion and improved SLN detection.
In Griffin 2025 et al., on sentinel lymph mapping, which method provided surgical planning advantages before dissection?

A. Intraoperative NIR with ICG
B. Methylene blue dye alone
C. Preoperative indirect CT-lymphography (CTL)
D. Ultrasound-guided FNAs
E. Nodal palpation

Answer: Preoperative indirect CT-lymphography (CTL)

Explanation: CTL allowed for non-invasive identification of SLNs and their location relative to vital structures.
In Griffin 2025 et al., on sentinel lymph mapping, how many dogs had histologically confirmed lymph node metastasis?

A. 4 of 6
B. 1 of 6
C. 2 of 6
D. 5 of 6
E. None

Answer: 2 of 6

Explanation: Two dogs had metastatic carcinoma in sentinel nodes confirmed by histopathology.

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