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Anatomic and Functional Evaluation of Central Lymphatics With Noninvasive Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography.

ABSTRACT: Accurate assessment of the lymphatic system has been limited due to the lack of optimal diagnostic methods. Recently, we adopted noncontrast magnetic resonance (MR) lymphangiography to evaluate the central lymphatic channel. We aimed to investigate the feasibility and the clinical usefulness of noninvasive MR lymphangiography for determining lymphatic disease.Ten patients (age range 42-72 years) with suspected chylothorax (n?=?7) or lymphangioma (n?=?3) who underwent MR lymphangiography were included in this prospective study. The thoracic duct was evaluated using coronal and axial images of heavily T2-weighted sequences, and reconstructed maximum intensity projection. Two radiologists documented visualization of the thoracic duct from the level of the diaphragm to the thoracic duct outlet, and also an area of dispersion around the chyloma or direct continuity between the thoracic duct and mediastinal cystic mass.The entire thoracic duct was successfully delineated in all patients. Lymphangiographic findings played a critical role in identifying leakage sites in cases of postoperative chylothorax, and contributed to differential diagnosis and confirmation of continuity with the thoracic duct in cases of lymphangioma, and also in diagnosing Gorham disease, which is a rare disorder. In patients who underwent surgery, intraoperative findings were matched with lymphangiographic imaging findings.Nonenhanced MR lymphangiography is a safe and effective method for imaging the central lymphatic system, and can contribute to differential diagnosis and appropriate preoperative evaluation of pathologic lymphatic problems.

SUBMITTER: Kim EY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4998379 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Anatomic and Functional Evaluation of Central Lymphatics With Noninvasive Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography.

Kim Eun Young EY Hwang Hye Sun HS Lee Ho Yun HY Cho Jong Ho JH Kim Hong Kwan HK Lee Kyung Soo KS Shim Young Mog YM Zo Jaeil J

Medicine 20160301 12

Accurate assessment of the lymphatic system has been limited due to the lack of optimal diagnostic methods. Recently, we adopted noncontrast magnetic resonance (MR) lymphangiography to evaluate the central lymphatic channel. We aimed to investigate the feasibility and the clinical usefulness of noninvasive MR lymphangiography for determining lymphatic disease.Ten patients (age range 42-72 years) with suspected chylothorax (n = 7) or lymphangioma (n = 3) who underwent MR lymphangiography were inc ...[more]

PMID: 27015184

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Project description:PURPOSE:To exploit the long 3.0T relaxation times and low flow velocity of lymphatic fluid to develop a noninvasive 3.0T lymphangiography sequence and evaluate its relevance in patients with lymphedema. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A 3.0T turbo-spin-echo (TSE) pulse train with long echo time (TEeffective ?=?600 msec; shot-duration?=?13.2 msec) and TSE-factor (TSE-factor?=?90) was developed and signal evolution simulated. The method was evaluated in healthy adults (n?=?11) and patients with unilateral breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema (BCRL; n?=?25), with a subgroup (n?=?5) of BCRL participants scanned before and after manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapy. Maximal lymphatic vessel cross-sectional area, signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR), and results from a five-point categorical scoring system were recorded. Nonparametric tests were applied to evaluate study parameter differences between controls and patients, as well as between affected and contralateral sides in patients (significance criteria: two-sided P < 0.05). RESULTS:Patient volunteers demonstrated larger lymphatic cross-sectional areas in the affected (arm?=?12.9?±?6.3?mm2 ; torso?=?17.2?±?15.6?mm2 ) vs. contralateral (arm?=?9.4?±?3.9?mm2 ; torso?=?9.1?±?4.6?mm2 ) side; this difference was significant both for the arm (P?=?0.014) and torso (P?=?0.025). Affected (arm: P?=?0.010; torso: P?=?0.016) but not contralateral (arm: P?=?0.42; torso: P?=?0.71) vessel areas were significantly elevated compared with control values. Lymphatic cross-sectional areas reduced following MLD on the affected side (pre-MLD: arm?=?8.8?±?1.8?mm2 ; torso?=?31.4?±?26.0?mm2 ; post-MLD: arm?=?6.6?±?1.8?mm2 ; torso?=?23.1?±?24.3?mm2 ). This change was significant in the torso (P?=?0.036). The categorical scoring was found to be less specific for detecting lateralizing disease compared to lymphatic-vessel areas. CONCLUSION:A 3.0T lymphangiography sequence is proposed, which allows for upper extremity lymph stasis to be detected in ?10 minutes without exogenous contrast agents. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1349-1360.

Project description:BackgroundClinical examination and lymphoscintigraphy are the current standard for investigating lymphatic function. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilitates three-dimensional (3D), nonionizing imaging of the lymphatic vasculature, including functional assessments of lymphatic flow, and may improve diagnosis and treatment planning in disease states such as lymphedema.PurposeTo summarize the role of MRI as a noninvasive technique to assess lymphatic drainage and highlight areas in need of further study.Study typeSystematic review.PopulationIn October 2019, a systematic literature search (PubMed) was performed to identify articles on magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL).Field strength/sequenceNo field strength or sequence restrictions.AssessmentArticle quality assessment was conducted using a bespoke protocol, designed with heavy reliance on the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for case series studies and Downs and Blacks quality checklist for health care intervention studies.Statistical testsThe results of the original research articles are summarized.ResultsFrom 612 identified articles, 43 articles were included and their protocols and results summarized. Field strength was 1.5 or 3.0 T in all studies, with 25/43 (58%) employing 3.0 T imaging. Most commonly, imaging of the peripheries, upper and lower limbs including the pelvis (32/43, 74%), and the trunk (10/43, 23%) is performed, including two studies covering both regions. Imaging protocols were heterogenous; however, T2 -weighted and contrast-enhanced T1 -weighted images are routinely acquired and demonstrate the lymphatic vasculature. Edema, vessel, quantity and morphology, and contrast uptake characteristics are commonly reported indicators of lymphatic dysfunction.Data conclusionMRL is uniquely placed to yield large field of view, qualitative and quantitative, 3D imaging of the lymphatic vasculature. Despite study heterogeneity, consensus is emerging regarding MRL protocol design. MRL has the potential to dramatically improve understanding of the lymphatics and detect disease, but further optimization, and research into the influence of study protocol differences, is required before this is fully realized.Level of evidence2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

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Anatomic and Functional Evaluation of Central Lymphatics With Noninvasive Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography.

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Anatomic and Functional Evaluation of Central Lymphatics With Noninvasive Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography.

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