[Lymphatic drainage of skin areas of head and neck: in vivo approach by the location of the sentinel node]

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of the study was to determine the preferential territories of drainage of skin areas of the face and neck. This knowledge can guide the strategies of diagnostic (search for primary tumor skin to cervical lymphadenopathy) and treatment (determination of the extent of neck dissection to achieve in case of skin tumor).

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study of the surgical procedures of sentinel node research between January 2003 and April 2011. The lymphoscintigraphic and intraoperative localization of the initial tumor site and sentinel lymph node were collected.

Results and discussion: One hundred and thirty-seven patients were included in the study. The parotid gland is a privileged territory of drainage of the head and neck skin. At cervical level, the submental region drains the lower and median part of the face (lips and chin). The posterior segments (IIb and V sector) were represented for the posterior locations of the head (ear, vertex), and cervical region.

Keywords: Drainage lymphatique; Ganglion sentinelle; Head and neck; Lymphatic drainage; Lymphoscintigraphie; Lymphoscintigraphy; Sentinel node; Skin malignancy; Tumeur cutanée; Tête et cou.