title: Current techniques for lymphatic imaging: State of the art and future perspectives.
abstract: Techniques for lymphatic imaging are aiming at accurate, simple and minimal-invasive approaches with less side-effects and repetitive application. Limitations are emerging in conventional techniques, and new techniques have shown their advantages in high resolution and sensitivity as well as transcutaneous imaging. In the present review, these techniques and their applications are reviewed and elucidated, aiming at a better understanding of recent advancements and current trends of lymphatic imaging as well as promising techniques for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Care Unit, BG-Trauma Centre Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwig Guttmann Str. 13, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Care Unit, BG-Trauma Centre Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwig Guttmann Str. 13, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Care Unit, BG-Trauma Centre Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwig Guttmann Str. 13, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gazyakan
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Care Unit, BG-Trauma Centre Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwig Guttmann Str. 13, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahimi
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncological Surgery, Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hünerbein
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Care Unit, BG-Trauma Centre Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwig Guttmann Str. 13, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kneser
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Care Unit, BG-Trauma Centre Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwig Guttmann Str. 13, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany. Electronic address: Christoph.hirche@bgu-ludwigshafen.de.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hirche
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008208:Lymphatic System; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008220:Lymphography / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D061305:Lymphoscintigraphy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends
keywords: Blue-dye; Lymphatic imaging; Lymphography; MRI; Near-infrared; Radiocolloid