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Review
. 2022 Jun 24;12(7):1033.
doi: 10.3390/jpm12071033.

Imaging Assessment of Interval Metastasis from Melanoma

Igino Simonetti  1 , Piero Trovato  2 , Vincenza Granata  1 , Carmine Picone  1 , Roberta Fusco  3   4 , Sergio Venanzio Setola  1 , Mauro Mattace Raso  1 , Corrado Caracò  5 , Paolo A Ascierto  5 , Fabio Sandomenico  6 , Antonella Petrillo  1
Affiliations
Review

Imaging Assessment of Interval Metastasis from Melanoma

Igino Simonetti et al. J Pers Med. .

Abstract

Interval metastasis is a particular metastatic category of metastatic localizations in the lymph nodes in patients with melanoma. Interval nodes are generally located at nonregional lymphatic stations placed along the pathway of the spread of melanoma, such as the epitrochlear lymph node station, the popliteal fossa, and the retroareolar station. Imaging techniques for evaluation of patients with interval metastasis from melanoma diseases include ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), lymphoscintigraphy (LS), and positron emission tomography (PET). A literature review was conducted through a methodical search on the Pubmed and Embase databases. The evaluation of lymph node metastases represents a critical phase in the staging and follow-up of melanoma patients. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of the imaging methods available and the interactions between the clinician and the radiologist are essential for making the correct choice for individual patients, for a better management, and to improve treatment and survival.

Keywords: computed tomography; magnetic resonance imaging; melanoma; positron emission tomography; ultrasound.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lymphadenopathy of the right popliteal fossa from cutaneous melanoma of the calf. The B-Mode US scan (a) shows an oval, heterogeneous, predominantly hypoechoic lymph node with sharp margins. The contrast-enhanced CT axial-scan image (b) demonstrates a partially necrotic lymphadenopathy with peripheral enhancement.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Left subscapular lymphadenopathy representing the recurrence of a cutaneous melanoma on the trunk. The B-Mode US scan (a) shows an oval, markedly hypoechoic, inhomogeneous lymph node with irregular borders. The color Doppler scan (b) shows prevalent peripheral flow signals.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Epitrochlear lymphadenopathy from cutaneous melanoma of the elbow. The B-Mode US scan (a) shows a round, hypoechoic, and heterogeneous lymph node with irregular borders. The color Doppler scan (b) shows an intense and anarchic vascularity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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