title: The use of clinical contrast media for lymphangiography in cadaveric studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiographic contrast media have not been previously used in human lymphatic cadaver studies. As these will have further clinical applications, we sought to investigate their use in this role.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both lower legs from an unembalmed human cadaver were studied. We used hydrogen peroxide to identify the lymphatics of the dorsum of the foot, and a single lymphatic was microsurgically injected with 1 ml of 76% 'Urografin.' A series of radiographs were taken 1 min after injection and for 2.5 h until the Urografin vanished. Images were digitalized for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The series of lymphangiograms generated showed the size, location, and course of the lymphatics in the leg. Over time, the density of the iodinated contrast in the lymphatic vessels reduced and disappeared completely after 2.5 hours postinjection. A 'digitally subtracted' image provided a clear and high-contrast lymphangiogram. The lymphatic network identified was shown to diverge and converge twice as it coursed proximally up the limb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urografin, a clinical radiographic contrast medium, was shown to lose contrast density 2.5 h following cadaveric intralymphatic injection. The use of a new technique, that of 'digital subtraction lymphangiography,' was able to demonstrate the lymphatic vessel pathways clearly, and is a useful technique for cadaveric lymphatic studies.
authors.forename: Wei-Ren
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Cara Michelle
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Le Roux
authors.forename: Warren M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Rozen
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002102:Cadaver; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D008220:Lymphography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide