title: Indirect magnetic resonance lymphangiography to assess lymphatic function in experimental murine lymphedema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, indirect magnetic resonance lymphangiography with gadolinium (Gd) has been demonstrated to offer the potential for safe, high-resolution visualization of the lymphatic vessels, in addition to the lymph nodes. In this study, the potential utility of indirect Gd contrast magnetic resonance imaging of lymphatic vascular function was investigated in the murine tail. Functional imaging of healthy mice is contrasted with the findings in experimentally-induced lymphatic vascular insufficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postsurgical lymphedema was experimentally created in the murine tail. Normal and lymphedematous mouse tails were imaged following direct subcutaneous administration of Gadolinium-DTPA, 0.1 mmol/kg. Images were obtained in axial and coronal planes with a T1-weighted spin echo inversion-recovery sequence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the normal tail, both of the bilateral major collecting lymphatics were clearly visualized as the Gd tracer was cleared from the interstitial compartment. In contrast, the Gd tracer accumulated at the prior surgical site in the lymphedematous tail. Quantitative assessment of Gd clearance demonstrates that accumulation of Gd correlates with the impedance to lymph flow proximal to the site of surgical lymphatic ablation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnetic resonance is a feasible and reliable method to be applied to quantitative functional imaging of the lymphatic vasculature in experimental models of lymphedema.
authors: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
authors: Da
authors: D
authors: Pan
authors: Yori
authors: Y
authors: Suzuki
authors: Phillip C
authors: PC
authors: Yang
authors: Stanley G
authors: SG
authors: Rockson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000473:pathology*; D008220:Lymphography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D051379:Mice; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D013623:Tail / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005682:Gadolinium