摘要 |
A sentinel lymph node detecting system comprises an inserting portion with a small diameter which can be inserted into the body cavity, an X-ray detecting unit for two-dimensionally detecting X-rays, and an optical imaging unit 3 for taking visible-light images, which are mounted to the tip of the inserting portion. The X-ray detecting unit and the optical imaging unit are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the inserting portion, and are closely disposed one to another so as to observe in the same direction. A radioactive tracer accumulated in sentinel lymph nodes is detected by the X-ray detecting unit. The X-ray detected image is smaller in size than the image taken by the optical imaging unit. Thus, sentinel lymph nodes can be quickly identified in a sure manner, and further, the load placed on a patient, such as the need to perform laparotomy, can be reduced.
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