ADVANCED IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR MAPPING CADAVERIC LYMPHATIC ANATOMY: MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY LYMPHANGIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Lymphatic anatomy has becomeincreasingly clinically important as surgicaltechniques evolve for investigating andtreating cancer metastases. However, due tolimited anatomical techniques available,research in this field has been insufficient.The techniques of computed tomography (CT)and magnetic resonance (MR) lymphangiographyhave not been described previously inthe imaging of cadaveric lymphatic anatomy.This preliminary work describes the feasibilityof these advanced imaging technologies forimaging lymphatic anatomy. A single, freshcadaveric lower limb underwent lymphaticdissection and cannulation utilizing microsurgicaltechniques. Contrast materials forboth CT and MR studies were chosen basedon their suitability for subsequent clinical use,and imaging was undertaken with a view tomapping lymphatic anatomy. Microdissectionstudies were compared with imaging findingsin each case. Both MR-based and CT-basedcontrast media in current clinical use werefound to be suitable for demonstratingcadaveric lymphatic anatomy upon directintralymphatic injection. MR lymphangiographyand CT lymphangiography are feasiblemodalities for cadaveric anatomical researchfor lymphatic anatomy. Future studies includingrefinements in scanning techniques mayoffer these technologies to the clinical setting.