Metastasis to the popliteal lymph nodes in lower extremity melanoma and their management

Melanomas located anywhere below the knee can drain to the popliteal fossa. Sentinel nodes in the popliteal fossa are found in 1-9.6% of cases. The positivity rate in these nodes is 12.5-30%, which is comparable to rates in conventional nodal basins. Formal dissection of the popliteal fossa for a positive sentinel node is indicated. Inguinal dissection based only on the presence of involved popliteal lymph nodes is not warranted.