Interstitial MR lymphography in mice: comparative study with gadofluorine 8, gadofluorine M, and gadofluorine P.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the characteristics and capability of interstitial MR lymphography in mice using gadofluorine 8, gadofluorine M, and gadofluorine P.


METHODS
We injected healthy mice with 0.5 µmol of Gd gadofluorine 8, gadofluorine M, or gadofluorine P subcutaneously into the right rear footpad and assessed the time courses of contrast enhancement in the lymph nodes. Six mice were studied for each contrast agent. We also used gadofluorine M to assess the lymphatic pathway from the right and left rear feet or tail.


RESULTS
Contrast enhancement was demonstrated for the right popliteal, sacral, and iliac lymph nodes in all mice 5 minutes after injection of each of the 3 agents and decreased gradually. Enhancement in the lymph nodes was still detectable 30 minutes after injection of gadofluorine 8 or gadofluorine M. Enhancement became obscure sooner after gadofluorine P injection and was mildly stronger with the other 2 contrast agents. Clear differences were found in the hepatobiliary and urinary kinetics of the 3 agents. Gadofluorine M injected into various sites delineated the lymphatic pathway from the site of injection.


CONCLUSIONS
Interstitial MR lymphography using gadofluorine 8, gadofluorine M, and gadofluorine P offered clear visualization of the lymphatic pathway in healthy mice during a sufficient imaging time window, and allowed repeated assessment of the pathway and clarification of the lymphatic system.
Department of Radiology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. kiryu-tky@umin.ac.jp
Shigeru
S
Kiryu
Yusuke
Y
Inoue
Fugeng
F
Sheng
Makoto
M
Watanabe
Kohki
K
Yoshikawa
Morio
M
Shimada
Kuni
K
Ohtomo
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D056831:Coordination Complexes; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008220:Lymphography / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D056831:Coordination Complexes; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C401682:gadofluorine 8; C517961:gadofluorine M; C000604509:gadofluorine P