Quantification of Lymphedema in a Rat Model by 3D-Active Contour Segmentation by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Sommer, Tanja; Meier, Martin; Bruns, Frank; Pabst, Reinhard; Breves, Gerhard; Hadamitzky, Catarina

doi:10.1089/lrb.2011.0010

Cited by 15 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In another study, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was also used for measuring the volume of the fluid accumulation in the subcutaneous tissue, but this methodology has significant associated costs. 19 In the presented study, micro-CT was able to accurately and reliably determine volume differentiation between lesioned and healthy limbs with the benefit of decreased costs compared to magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, for specific evaluation of lymphatic flow, lymphoscintigraphy by injected Tc 99 nanocolloid was effective at determining the success of lymphadenectomy and progression to lymphedema.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Developing a Lower Limb Lymphedema Animal Model with Combined Lymphadenectomy and Low-dose Radiation

Yang¹,

Nguyen²,

Wu³

et al. 2014

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open

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Background:This study was aimed to establish a consistent lower limb lymphedema animal model for further investigation of the mechanism and treatment of lymphedema.Methods:Lymphedema in the lower extremity was created by removing unilateral inguinal lymph nodes followed by 20, 30, and 40 Gy (groups IA, IB, and IC, respectively) radiation or by removing both inguinal lymph nodes and popliteal lymph nodes followed by 20 Gy (group II) radiation in Sprague-Dawley rats (350–400 g). Tc99 lymphoscintigraphy was used to monitor lymphatic flow patterns. Volume differentiation was assessed by microcomputed tomography and defined as the percentage change of the lesioned limb compared to the healthy limb.Results:At 4 weeks postoperatively, 0% in group IA (n = 3), 37.5% in group IB (n = 16), and 50% in group IC (n = 26) developed lymphedema in the lower limb with total mortality and morbidity rate of 0%, 56.3%, and 50%, respectively. As a result of the high morbidity and mortality rates, 20 Gy was selected, and the success rate for development of lymphedema in the lower limb in group II was 81.5% (n = 27). The mean volume differentiation of the lymphedematous limb compared to the health limb was 7.76% ± 1.94% in group II, which was statistically significant compared to group I (P < 0.01).Conclusions:Removal of both inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes followed by radiation of 20 Gy can successfully develop lymphedema in the lower limb with minimal morbidity in 4 months.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Developing a Lower Limb Lymphedema Animal Model with Combined Lymphadenectomy and Low-dose Radiation

Yang¹,

Nguyen²,

Wu³

et al. 2014

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open

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“…Recently, 3D imaging modalities have been applied for limb volumetry in humans 29 and rodents 21 22 with lymphedema. Little is known about their validity in comparison to conventional methods such as the assessment of circumferential length or paw thickness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or microcomputed tomography (μCT) have been introduced for rodent limb volumetry 21 22 . However, the validity and reliability of these complex 3D techniques for limb volume assessment compared to conventional measuring techniques have not been systematically evaluated so far.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

High-resolution 3D volumetry versus conventional measuring techniques for the assessment of experimental lymphedema in the mouse hindlimb

Frueh

Körbel

Gassert

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

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Secondary lymphedema is a common complication of cancer treatment characterized by chronic limb swelling with interstitial inflammation. The rodent hindlimb is a widely used model for the evaluation of novel lymphedema treatments. However, the assessment of limb volume in small animals is challenging. Recently, high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging modalities have been introduced for rodent limb volumetry. In the present study we evaluated the validity of microcomputed tomography (μCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound in comparison to conventional measuring techniques. For this purpose, acute lymphedema was induced in the mouse hindlimb by a modified popliteal lymphadenectomy. The 4-week course of this type of lymphedema was first assessed in 6 animals. In additional 12 animals, limb volumes were analyzed by μCT, 9.4 T MRI and 30 MHz ultrasound as well as by planimetry, circumferential length and paw thickness measurements. Interobserver correlation was high for all modalities, in particular for μCT analysis (r = 0.975, p < 0.001). Importantly, caliper-measured paw thickness correlated well with μCT (r = 0.861), MRI (r = 0.821) and ultrasound (r = 0.800). Because the assessment of paw thickness represents a time- and cost-effective approach, it may be ideally suited for the quantification of rodent hindlimb lymphedema.

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“…This procedure was tested on several animal model, such as pigs [28][29][30], mice [31], sheep [32], and rats [33]. Recently, Sommer et al [34] developed an adequate animal model for lymphedema and explored the effects of VEGF-C application [33]. Their study supported promising results regarding the reconnection and histological regeneration of LN [33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

VEGF-C improves regeneration and lymphatic reconnection of transplanted autologous lymph node fragments: An animal model for secondary lymphedema treatment

Schindewolffs

Breves

Büettner

et al. 2014

Immunity, Inflammation and Disease

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Secondary lymphedema occurs after for example breast cancer surgery and radiation in 20–50% of the patients. Due to the poor outcomes of surgical treatments in the past, the therapy often remains symptomatic. However, avascular transplantation of autologous lymph node fragments (LN-Tx) combined with postoperative injections of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) emerges as a potential surgical therapy. In this study, adult rats underwent LN-Tx to investigate the following parameters of VEGF-C application: time point, location and dosage. Furthermore, the influences of VEGF-C on lymphatic reconnection and transplant regeneration were analyzed. The reconnection was investigated using intradermally injected blue dye and the regeneration was evaluated histologically using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry. The higher dosage enhanced the reconnection rates significantly and showed a statistical tendency of improving regeneration. An application on early postoperative days and the injection into the medial thigh improved the reconnection significantly. However, these variables did not affect the regeneration statistically. This study confirms that LN-Tx combined with lymphatic growth factor VEGF-C is a possible approach in the therapy of secondary lymphedema and shows the important role of VEGF-C application parameters.

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Quantification of Lymphedema in a Rat Model by 3D-Active Contour Segmentation by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Cited by 15 publications

References 19 publications

Developing a Lower Limb Lymphedema Animal Model with Combined Lymphadenectomy and Low-dose Radiation

Developing a Lower Limb Lymphedema Animal Model with Combined Lymphadenectomy and Low-dose Radiation

High-resolution 3D volumetry versus conventional measuring techniques for the assessment of experimental lymphedema in the mouse hindlimb

VEGF-C improves regeneration and lymphatic reconnection of transplanted autologous lymph node fragments: An animal model for secondary lymphedema treatment

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