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. 2021 Apr 6;10(7):1543. doi: 10.3390/jcm10071543

Table 1.

Study characteristics.

(A) Characteristics of ultrasound included studies
Author Year Country Index Test Second Test Reference Standard Prospective/Retrospective N Analysed N with Axillary Metastases Prevalence of Axillary Metastases Mean Age Years of Study Other Criteria
Chang W. [23] 2018 China US US + Elastosonography Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 140 78 55.7% 55.3 2013–2014 Disjunctive method
Wallis M.G. [24] 2017 UK US US + CNB Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 769 134 17.4% ND 2008–2015
Zhao Q.L. [25] 2017 China US US + Elastosonography Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 78 44 56.4% 52.5 2012–2013 Disjunctive method
Akinci M. [26] 2016 Turkey US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 46 30 65.2% ND 2011–2013
Gipponi M. [27] 2016 Italy US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 400 127 31.8% 64.6 2013–2015 Only T1-T2-T3 tumors
Zhu Y. [28] 2016 China US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 445 169 38.0% 55.6 2013–2014 Only T1-T2 tumors
Hyun S.J. [29] 2015 South Korea US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 497 159 32.0% 52 2012–2013
Zhang Y.N. [30] 2015 China US US grayscale Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 1049 402 38.3% 50.3 2010–2011
Sohn Y.M.b[31] 2014 South Korea US US grayscale Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 107 45 42.1% 53.9 2009–2012
Cools Lartique J. [32] 2013 Canada US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 234 90 38.5% 57.8 2005–2007
Stachs A. [33] 2013 Germany US US grayscale Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 470 166 35.3% ND 2008–2010
Riegger C. [34] 2012 Germany US US grayscale Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 91 37 40.7% 55.5 2007–2010
Davey P. [35] 2011 Northern Ireland US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 119 40 33.6% ND 2009
Schiettecatte A. [36] 2011 Belgium US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 147 67 45.6% 56 ND Breast tumors < 3cm
Baruah B.P. [37] 2010 UK US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 502 137 27.3% 61 2006–2009
Jung J. [38] 2010 South Korea US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 189 61 32.3% ND 2005–2006
Luparia A. [39] 2010 Italy US US grayscale Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 427 170 39.8% 60.9 2005–2008
Monzawa S. [40] 2009 Japan US US grayscale Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 50 15 30.0% 59 2005–2006
Cowher M.S. [41] 2008 USA US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 125 57 45.6% 61.3 2004–2005
Moore A. [42] 2008 USA US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 112 58 51.8% ND ND High risk of metastases
Ueda S. [43] 2008 Japan US US grayscale Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 183 59 32.2% 57 2005–2007
Altomare V. [44] 2007 Italy US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 100 30 30.0% 53 2004–2005 Only T1-T2-T3 tumors. FNA performed for all patients
Davis J.T. [45] 2006 USA US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 37 22 59.5% ND 2004–2005 High risk of metastases
Lumachi F. [46] 2006 Italy US US grayscale Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 77 37 48.1% 54 ND Only T1-T2 tumors.
Popli M.B. [47] 2006 India US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 30 22 73.3% ND ND
Podkrajsek M. [48] 2005 Slovenia US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 165 65 39.4% 56 2001–2003
Bedrosian I. [49] 2003 USA US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 208 53 25.5% 55.4 1994–2000
Deurloo E.E. [50] 2003 The Netherlands US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 268 121 45.1% 56 1999–2001 Only patients eligible for SLNB
Kuenen-Boumeester V. [51] 2003 The Netherlands US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Retrospective 183 85 46.4% ND 1998–2003
Sapino A. [52] 2003 Italy US US + FNA Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 298 88 29.5% ND 2000 31 in situ breast cancer
TOTAL 7546 2668 35.4% 56
(B) Characteristics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging included studies
Author Year Country Index Test Second Test Number of Testla Reference Standard Prospective/Retrospective N Analysed N with Axillary Metastases Prevalence of Axillary Metastases MEAN AGE Period of Study Other Criteria
Kim S.H. [53] 2017 South Korea MRI With and without DWI + Gadolinium IV 3T Histology Retrospective 149 50 33.6% 49.2 2014–2015
(SLNB/ALND)
Yun S.J. [54] 2016 South Korea MRI With DWI + Gadolinium IV 3T Histology Retrospective 124 34 27.4% 59.8 2011–2014
(SLNB/ALND)
Schipper R.J. [55] 2015 The Netherlands MRI With and without DWI 3T Histology Retrospective 50 12 24.0% 60 2012–2013 Only T1-T2-T3
(SLNB/ALND) tumors
Ergul N. [56] 2015 Turkey MRI With and without DWI 1.5T Histology Prospective 24 15 62.5% 47 2012–2013 Only T1-T2
(SLNB/ALND) tumors
Kamitani T. [57] 2013 Japan MRI DWI alone 1.5T Histology Retrospective 110 26 23.6% 54.9 2006–2007
(SLNB/ALND)
Fornasa F. [58] 2012 Italy MRI With DWI + Gadolinium IV 1.5T Histology Prospective 43 19 44.2% 58 2008–2010
(SLNB/ALND)
Scaranelo M. [59] 2012 Canada MRI With and without DWI 1.5T Histology Prospective 65 28 43.1% 53 2008–2009
(SLNB/ALND)
Memarsadeghi M. [60] 2006 Austria MRI Without DWI + USPIO IV 1T Histology Prospective 22 6 27.3% 62 5 months
(SLNB/ALND)
Michel S.C. [61] 2002 Switzerland MRI Without DWI + USPIO IV 1.5T Histology Prospective 18 11 61.1% 53 2000–2001
(SLNB/ALND)
Murray A.D. [62] 2002 UK MRI Without DWI + Gadolinium IV 0.95T Histology ND 47 10 21.3% 63 ND
(SLNB/ALND)
TOTAL 652 211 32.4% 55.4
(C) Characteristics of FDG Positron Emission Tomography included studies
Author Year Country Index Test Second Test Evaluation Reference Standard Prospective/Retrospective N Analysed N with Axillary Metastases Prevalence of Axillary Metastases Mean Age Years of Study Other Criteria
Ergul N. [56] 2015 Turkey FDG PET With CT Visual and semi-quantitative Histology Prospective 24 15 62.5% 47 2012–2013 Only T1-T2 tumors
(SLNB/ALND)
Jeong Y.J. [63] 2014 South Korea FDG PET With CT Visual and semi-quantitative Histology Retrospective 178 48 27.0% 54.9 2010–2013
(SLNB/ALND)
Park J. [64] 2014 South Korea FDG PET With CT Visual and semi-quantitative Histology Retrospective 136 70 51.5% 49.7 2009–2012 3 patients without FDG-avid breast tumors excluded
(SLNB/ALND)
Sohn Y.M. [31] 2014 South Korea FDG PET With CT Visual Histology Retrospective 107 45 42.1% 53.9 2009–2012
(SLNB/ALND)
Machida Y. [65] 2013 Japan FDG PET With CT Visual and semi-quantitative Histology Retrospective 227 54 23.8% ND 2005–2009
(SLNB/ALND)
Seok J.W. [66] 2013 South Korea FDG PET With CT Visual and semi-quantitative Histology Retrospective 104 21 20.2% 49.4 2010–2012 Only T1-T2 tumors
(SLNB/ALND)
Hahn S. [67] 2012 Germany FDG PET With CT Visual and semi-quantitative Histology Retrospective 38 16 26.9% 52 2008 Only T1-T2 tumors
(SLNB/ALND)
Riegger C. [34] 2012 Germany FDG PET With CT Visual Histology Retrospective 91 37 40.7% 55.5 2007–2010
(SLNB/ALND)
Choi W.H. [68] 2011 South Korea FDG PET With CT Visual and semi-quantitative Histology Retrospective 171 73 42.7% 50.1 2003–2006
(SLNB/ALND)
Heusner T.A. [69] 2009 Germany FDG PET With CT Visual Histology Retrospective 61 24 39.3% 56 2007–2008
(SLNB/ALND)
Kim J [70] 2009 South Korea FDG PET With CT Visual Histology Prospective 137 35 25.5% 50.5 2007–2008 Only T1-T2 tumors
(SLNB/ALND)
Monzawa S. [40] 2009 Japan FDG PET With CT Visual Histology Retrospective 50 15 30.0% 59 2005–2006
(SLNB/ALND)
Taira N. [71] 2008 Japan FDG PET With CT Visual and semi-quantitative Histology Retrospective 92 27 29.3% 54.6 2006–2007
(SLNB/ALND)
Ueda S. [43] 2008 Japan FDG PET With CT Visual Histology Prospective 183 59 32.2% 57 2005–2007
(SLNB/ALND)
Veronesi U. [72] 2007 Italy FDG PET With CT Visual and semi-quantitative Histology Retrospective 236 103 43.6% 49 2003–2005 Only T1-T2-T3 tumors
(SLNB/ALND)
Kumar R. [73] 2006 USA FDG PET Without CT ND Histology Prospective 80 36 45.0% 52 ND
(SLNB/ALND)
Weir L. [74] 2005 Canada FDG PET Without CT Visual Histology Retrospective 40 18 45.0% 52 2000–2003
(SLNB/ALND)
Fehr M.K. [75] 2004 Switzerland FDG PET Without CT Visual Histology Prospective 24 10 41.7% 56 ND Tumors
(SLNB/ALND) < 3 cm (clinical)
Zornoza M.J. [76] 2004 Spain FDG PET Without CT Visual Histology Prospective 200 107 53.5% 52.2 ND Tumors < 3.5 cm (ND)
(SLNB/ALND)
Barranger E. [77] 2003 France FDG PET Without CT Visual Histology Prospective 32 15 46.9% 58 2001 Only T1-T2 tumors
(SLNB/ALND)
Guller U. [78] 2002 Switzerland FDG PET Without CT ND Histology Prospective 31 14 45.2% 64.8 ND
(SLNB/ALND)
Nakamoto Y. [79] 2002 USA FDG PET Without CT Visual Histology Prospective 36 15 41.7% 50.6 ND
(SLNB/ALND)
Rieber A. [80] 2002 Germany FDG PET Without CT ND Histology Retrospective 40 20 50.0% 52.9 ND
(SLNB/ALND)
Van der Hoeven J.M. [81] 2002 The Netherlands FDG PET Without CT Visual Histology (SLNB/ALND) Prospective 70 32 45.7% 58 1997–2000
TOTAL 2388 909 38.1% 52.9
(D) Characteristics of Fine Needle Aspiration included studies
Author Year Country Index Test Evaluation Prospective/Retrospective? N Analysed N with Axillary Metastases Prevalence of Axillary Metastases Mean Age Years of Studies Other Criteria
Zhu Y. [28] 2016 China FNA Histology Retrospective 445 169 38.0% 55.6 2013–2014 Only T1-T2 tumors
(SLNB/ALND)
Sohn Y.M. [31] 2014 South Korea FNA Histology Retrospective 107 45 42.1% 53.9 2009–2012
(SLNB/ALND)
Ganott M.A. [82] 2014 USA FNA Histology Prospective 44 26 59.1% ND 2008–2010
(SLNB/ALND)
Hayes B.D. [83] 2011 Ireland FNA Histology Retrospective 161 86 53.4% ND 2006–2009
(SLNB/ALND)
Schiettecatte A. [36] 2011 Belgium FNA Histology Retrospective 147 67 45.6% 56 ND
(SLNB/ALND)
Luparia A. [39] 2010 Italy FNA Histology Retrospective 427 170 39.8% 60.9 2005–2008 FNA was not performed for all suspicious axillary US
(SLNB/ALND)
Tahir M. [84] 2008 UK FNA Histology Prospective 38 17 44.7% 56.7 2005–2006
(SLNB/ALND)
Cowher M.S. [41] 2008 USA FNA Histology Retrospective 125 57 45.6% 61.3 2004–2005
(SLNB/ALND)
Moore A. [42] 2008 USA FNA Histology Retrospective 112 58 51.8% ND ND Only high risk of metastases
(SLNB/ALND)
Davis J.T. [45] 2006 USA FNA Histology Prospective 37 22 59.5% ND 2004–2005 Only high risk of metastases
(SLNB/ALND)
Popli M.B. [47] 2006 India FNA Histology Prospective 30 22 73.3% ND ND
(SLNB/ALND)
Podkrajsek M. [48] 2005 Slovenia FNA Histology Retrospective 165 65 39.4% 56 2001–2003
(SLNB/ALND)
Deurloo E.E. [50] 2003 The Netherlands FNA Histology Prospective 268 121 45.1% 56 1999–2001
(SLNB/ALND)
Sapino A. [52] 2003 Italy FNA Histology Prospective 298 88 29.5% ND 2000
(SLNB/ALND)
TOTAL 2404 1013 42.1% 49.9

ALND: Axillary Lymph Nodes Dissection; SLNB: Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; CNB: Core Needle Biopsy; FNA: Fine Needle Aspiration; DWI: Diffusion Weighted Imaging; IV: Intravenous injection; MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging; CT: Computed Tomography; FDG: Fluorodeoxyglucose; PET: Positron Emission Tomography; USPIO: Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide; US: Ultrasonography; N: Number of patients; ND: Not Determined; UK: United Kingdom; USA: United States of America.