Liquid Isolation to Optimize Ultrasonic Display of Cervical Lymphatic Vessels

Abstract

Lymphatic vessels are the only pathway for lymphatic fluid to flow into venous bloodstream, and they are also one of the main channels for migration and metastasis of malignant tumor cells. High-frequency ultrasound imaging has been used popularly as first choice for examination and preliminary assessment of cervical lymph nodes. However, its capacity of displaying lymphatic vessels is still insufficient up to date. Recently, liquid isolation has been increasingly used in ultrasoundguided thermal ablation treatment of thyroid nodules, parathyroid nodules, or cervical lymph nodes with malignant metastasis, playing a key role of protecting adjacent surrounding structures. In this paper, the role of liquid isolation in optimizing the ultrasonic display of cervical lymphatic vessels was presented and further likely novel technique based on this case was outlook as well.