Guided by ultrasound, 0.3 mL of CNs suspension was injected in a fusion node prior to NAC in 110 patients with local advanced breast cancer. Patients underwent breast surgery and total axillary lymph node dissection following 2-6 cycles of NAC. The distribution by intercostobrachial nerves (ICBN) of positive nodes, black-stained nodes and lymphovascular invasion was investigated by response to NAC.