The use of clinical contrast media for lymphangiography in cadaveric studies.
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.
Pan
Wei-Ren
WR
Le Roux
Cara Michelle
CM
Rozen
Warren M
WM
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
D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide