MR Lymphography of Abdominal and Retroperitoneal Lymphatic Vessels

Abstract

MR lymphography is a noninvasive technique that is well suited for the examination of abdominal and retroperitoneal lymphatic vessels.

Imaging the Central Conducting Lymphatics: Initial Experience with Dynamic MR Lymphangiography

“…Multiple techniques have been described for imaging of extremity lymphatics, including intradermal lymphoscintigraphy and surgical cannulation of lymphatic vessels followed by injection of an oilbased contrast material (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). These methods are an excellent means of imaging extremity lymphatics, but they do not provide sufficient evaluation of the CCL because of contrast material dilution, venous contamination, prolonged imaging duration, and insufficient anatomic detail because of overlapping structures.…”

Perirenal lymphatic systems: Evaluation using spectral presaturation with inversion recovery T2‐weighted MR images with 3D volume isotropic turbo spin‐echo acquisition at 3.0T

“…7,8 All of these axial MR images were reviewed and assessed independently by two abdominal radiologists (S.M. and M.K.…”

“…Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lymphography based on heavily T 2 -weighted fast spin-echo sequences, which can emphasize the static fluid signal in fluid-containing structures, can clearly visualize large lymphatics such as the thoracic duct and cisterna chyli. 7,8 Regarding the perirenal lymphatics, Erden et al investigated the relationship between levels of serum creatinine and perirenal hyperintensity suggestive of perirenal lymphatics on heavily T 2 -weighted images. 9 Several other MR reports involving renal lymphedema or lymphangiectasia have been published.…”

Chest Including Lungs and Mediastinum

“…The cisterna chyli is located in the retrocrural space from L1 to L2 vertebral levels, close to the aorta (Arrivé et al 2007 ). It is an important drainage junction of the infradiaphragmatic lymphatics and continues cranially as the thoracic duct ( Fig.…”