title: Non-enhanced MR lymphography of the thoracic duct: improved visualization following ingestion of a high fat meal-initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to compare the clarity of magnetic resonance lymphography (MRL) images of the thoracic duct (TD) obtained from subjects following an overnight fast with those obtained from the same subjects after ingestion of a high fat meal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen healthy volunteers were included in this study. TD images were acquired on a 3·0T MRI system with the imaging sequence of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. TD MRL images were obtained from subjects following an overnight fast and from the same subjects 3-4 h after ingestion of a high fat meal. Images were displayed in maximum intensity projection format and degree of visualization was evaluated using a scoring system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean TD score obtained following an overnight fast was significantly lower than the mean TD score obtained 3-4 h after ingestion of a high fat meal (P<0·05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clarity of TD MRL images is improved if subjects have ingested a high fat meal 3-4 h prior to examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou Universit Medical College, Shantou, China.|Department of Interventional Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xiangliang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou Universit Medical College, Shantou, China.
authors.forename: Renhua
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yikai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Canhong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Maoqiang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Fengyong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zhijun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008220:Lymphography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats
keywords: chylothorax; high fat meal; magnetic resonance hydrography; magnetic resonance lymphography; thoracic duct