The use of carbon nanoparticles to track occult lingual lymph nodes in early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

The lingual lymph nodes (LLNs) can only be detected with difficulty in early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinomas owing to the small size. Recurrence or metastasis could occur in the floor of the mouth as a result of neglecting the LLNs. The injection of carbon nanoparticles to track occult LLNs in early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma is presented and discussed. This technique is simple and easy to use intraoperatively. If LLNs were stained black during the operation, the sublingual gland along with the fatty tissue of the floor of the mouth were removed simultaneously. The LLNs in early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma deserve more attention.