Review of Non-Contrast MR-Lymphography Techniques and Findings: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Lymphedema is a major disorder of lymphatic system that occurs primarily due to lymphatic system disorders or secondary lymphedema which is caused by radiation therapy involving lymph nodes or surgical operation dissection. Magnetic resonance lymphography (MRL) has been used to effectively examine the lymph vessels and identify their morphology. This review study intended to evaluate the role of non MR-lymphographic for the diagnosis assessment of lymphedema and to provide comprehensive review on clinical outcome of non-contrast MRI compared to MRI with contrast medium. In this study, scientific publications published in languages other than English were excluded. A systematic review was done in international databases including PubMed, Scopus, web of sciences, conference proceedings published till 2019. Non contrast MRI lymphography has strong capability to be the main imaging procedure of choice in the diagnosis lymphedema with accuracy up to 90%.