TY - JOUR
T1 - Advances in imaging of lymph flow disorders
AU - Witte, Charles L.
AU - Witte, Marlys H.
AU - Unger, Evan C.
AU - Williams, Walter H.
AU - Bernas, Michael J.
AU - McNeill, George C.
AU - Stazzone, Anthony M.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Conventional oil-contrast lymphography has long been the mainstay for lymphatic imaging. However, the emergence of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has severely curtailed its use. Because of recent improvements and refinements, lymphangioscintigraphy now permits high-resolution imaging of peripheral lymphatic vessels and provides insight into lymph flow dynamics. It is indispensable for patients with known or suspected lymphatic circulatory disorders in confirming the diagnosis and delineating the pathogenesis and evolution of lymphedema. In addition, lymphangioscintigraphy helps evaluate lymphatic truncal anatomy and radiotracer transport. It can also be used to evaluate the efficacy of various treatment options designed to facilitate lymph flow or reduce lymph formation. The procedure is essentially noninvasive, can easily be repeated, and does not adversely affect the lymphatic vascular endothelium. MR imaging complements lymphangioscintigraphy in the monitoring and treatment of more complex lymphatic circulatory disorders, whereas CT facilitates catheter-guided percutaneous sclerosis or obliteration of specific lymphangiectasia or lymphangioma syndromes. Ultrasonography has proved useful in the setting of filariasis. Patients with a provisional diagnosis of peripheral lymphatic dysfunction or idiopathic edema should undergo diagnostic lymphangioscintigraphy and, in some cases, MR imaging to verify diagnostic accuracy, pinpoint the specific abnormality, and help guide subsequent therapy.
AB - Conventional oil-contrast lymphography has long been the mainstay for lymphatic imaging. However, the emergence of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has severely curtailed its use. Because of recent improvements and refinements, lymphangioscintigraphy now permits high-resolution imaging of peripheral lymphatic vessels and provides insight into lymph flow dynamics. It is indispensable for patients with known or suspected lymphatic circulatory disorders in confirming the diagnosis and delineating the pathogenesis and evolution of lymphedema. In addition, lymphangioscintigraphy helps evaluate lymphatic truncal anatomy and radiotracer transport. It can also be used to evaluate the efficacy of various treatment options designed to facilitate lymph flow or reduce lymph formation. The procedure is essentially noninvasive, can easily be repeated, and does not adversely affect the lymphatic vascular endothelium. MR imaging complements lymphangioscintigraphy in the monitoring and treatment of more complex lymphatic circulatory disorders, whereas CT facilitates catheter-guided percutaneous sclerosis or obliteration of specific lymphangiectasia or lymphangioma syndromes. Ultrasonography has proved useful in the setting of filariasis. Patients with a provisional diagnosis of peripheral lymphatic dysfunction or idiopathic edema should undergo diagnostic lymphangioscintigraphy and, in some cases, MR imaging to verify diagnostic accuracy, pinpoint the specific abnormality, and help guide subsequent therapy.
KW - Lymphatic system, CT, 99.1291
KW - Lymphatic system, MR, 99.12941
KW - Lymphatic system, abnormalities, 99.15
KW - Lymphatic system, diseases, 99.851, 99.852
KW - Lymphatic system, flow dynamics, 99.92
KW - Lymphatic system, radionuclide studies, 99.12974
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U2 - 10.1148/radiographics.20.6.g00nv141697
DO - 10.1148/radiographics.20.6.g00nv141697
M3 - Article
C2 - 11112825
AN - SCOPUS:0034329969
VL - 20
SP - 1697
EP - 1719
JO - Radiographics
JF - Radiographics
SN - 0271-5333
IS - 6
ER -