[Lymph node imaging with ultra-rapid 3D MR angiography].
OBJECTIVE
A report on observations of lymph node images obtained by gadolinium-enhanced 3D MR angiography (MRA).


METHODS
Ultrarapid MRA (TR, TE, FA-5 or 6.4 ms, 1.9 or 2.8 ms, 30-40 degrees) with 0.2 mmol/kg BW Gd-DTPA and 20 ml physiological saline. Start after completion of injection. Single series of the pelvis-thigh as well as head-neck regions by use of a phased array coil with a 1.5 T Magnetom Vision or a 1.0 T Magnetom Harmony (Siemens, Erlangen). We report on lymph node imaging in 4 patients, 2 of whom exhibited benign changes and 2 further metastases. In 1 patient with extensive lymph node metastases of a malignant melanoma, color-Doppler sonography as color-flow angiography (CFA) was used as a comparative method.


RESULTS
Lymph node imaging by contrast medium-enhanced ultrarapid 3D MRA apparently resulted from their vessels. Thus, arterially-supplied metastases and inflammatory enlarged lymph nodes were well visualized while those with a.v. shunts or poor vascular supply in tumor necroses were poorly imaged.


CONCLUSIONS
Further investigations are required with regard to the visualization of lymph nodes in other parts of the body as well as a possible differentiation between benign and malignant lesions.
Georgi
M
M
Klinikum Mannheim, Fakultät für Klinische Medizin Mannheim der Universität.
Gaa
J
J
Teubner
J
J
Bolte
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA