Impact of methylene blue staining in the retrieval of lymph nodes in resected colorectal cancer specimens

Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2016 Oct-Dec;59(4):504-506. doi: 10.4103/0377-4929.191804.

Abstract

Adequate lymph node harvest in resected colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens is important in staging and choosing appropriate therapeutic options. The yield of lymph nodes and metastatic nodes by methylene blue dye injection in 30 randomly selected resected CRC specimens was compared with an equal number of CRC specimens (control) with matched grade and stage.The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved in the study group was 22 ± 9 compared to 17 ± 8 in the control group which was statistically significant (P = 0.04).Methylene blue technique is an effective aid in increasing the yield of lymph nodes in the resected CRC specimens.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Methylene Blue / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Staging / methods*
  • Pathology, Clinical / methods*
  • Staining and Labeling / methods*

Substances

  • Methylene Blue