title: Current status of optical imaging for evaluating lymph nodes and lymphatic system.
abstract: Optical imaging techniques use visual and near infrared rays. Despite their considerably poor penetration depth, they are widely used due to their safe and intuitive properties and potential for intraoperative usage. Optical imaging techniques have been actively investigated for clinical imaging of lymph nodes and lymphatic system. This article summarizes a variety of optical tracers and techniques used for lymph node and lymphatic imaging, and reviews their clinical applications. Emerging new optical imaging techniques and their potential are also described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang 410-769, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Seong
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang 410-769, Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Sung
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang 410-769, Korea.
authors.forename: Seok-Ki
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000473:pathology*; D008220:Lymphography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D061848:Optical Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D045663:Quantum Dots; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes
keywords: Lymph node imaging; Lymphatic imaging; Optical imaging