Identification of 6 sentinel lymph nodes in a case of malignant melanoma on the ungual region of the finger

Abstract

We describe a case of malignant melanoma on the ungual region of the index finger with which 6 sentinel lymph nodes were detected in the axillary basin. Of these nodes, 1 of 3 brachial nodes and 2 of 3 central axillary nodes showed micrometastasis. Additional lymph nodes obtained at the subsequent complete axillary lymph node dissection showed no metastasis. Identification of as many as 6 sentinel lymph nodes was ascribed to a single lymph trunk that would branch off to afferent lymphatics draining to each nodal group; however, a gamma probe may have detected radioactive tracer passing to the sequential nodes as well as that remaining in true sentinel nodes.