High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography in patients with primary and secondary lymphedema
نویسندگان
چکیده
INTRODUCTION A major obstacle in understanding the pathophysiology of lymphedema, the differentiation from other types of edema, and in treatment planing is the difficulty of visualizing lymphatic vessels in human beings [1]. Lymphoscintigraphy is the primary imaging modality. Despite recent refinements in this technology an improved depiction of the lymphatic system with high resolution is desired. Interstitial Magnetic Resonance Lymphography has shown promising results with administration of various lymphotropic paramagnetic contrast agents. However, these lymphotropic contrast agents are still in the preclinical phase with an uncertain safety profile [2]. Interstitial Magnetic Resonance Lymphography with administration of a commercially available contrast agents has been proposed as a safe and effective method to image lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels in animals and humans [3,4]. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography (HR MRL) with intracutaneous injection of gadodiamide (Omniscan, Nycomed Amersham, Cork, Ireland) in patients with primary and secondary lymphedema.
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