title: Nanoparticles in sentinel lymph node mapping.
abstract: The lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels are more difficult to access than most vascular structures. Interstitial injection of imaging agents is often necessary to opacify the lymphatics. Traditionally, radionuclide methods of sentinel node imaging have dominated this field, however, limitations in resolution and exposure to radiation have encouraged the development of newer imaging methods. Among these are magnetic resonance lymphography in which a Gadolinium labeled nanoparticle is injected and imaged providing superior anatomic resolution and assessment of lymphatic dynamics. Optical imaging employing various nanoparticles including quantum dots also provide the capability of mapping each lymphatic basin in another "color". Taken together this "toolbox" of lymphatic imaging agents is poised to improve our understanding of the lymphatic system.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Imaging Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ravizzini
authors.forename: Baris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turkbey
authors.forename: Tristan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Hisataka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Choyke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media