Cypress Women's Imaging works closely with all of our local hospitals and surgery centers, to assist in preparing a patient for a surgical procedure. Some of these services include lymphoscintigraphy and lesion localization.

Lymphoscintigraphy is a nuclear medicine imaging technique that visualizes the lymphatic system. This system, which is made up of channels, like arteries and veins, transports a fluid called "lymph" used by the immune system. If the lymphatic flow becomes blocked, the affected area can become swollen. A lymphoscintigraphy can help identify the points of a blockage and is helpful for identifying abnormal lymph nodes prior to a biopsy or surgical procedure.

Particularly useful for Cypress Women's Imaging, the procedure is commonly used for planning surgery for a breast tumor. The day a surgery is planned, a radiopharmaceutical (a radioactive medicine) is injected either into the breast or the site of the tumor. Images are then taken of the area to assess lymphatic drainage.

What should I expect

During the lymphoscintigraphy procedure, the patient will lie on a table beneath a special camera known as a "gamma" camera. Once the injection has been completed, imaging will begin and a series of images will be repeated at five minute intervals for approximately 45 minutes.

How do I prepare

There is no special preparation for lymphoscintigraphy.

Please contact us if you have any questions about our Preoperative Services.