INTERSTITIAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE LYMPHOGRAPHY WITH GADOBUTROL IN RABBITS AND AN INITIAL EXPERIENCE IN HUMANS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was first to evaluate gadobutrol as a contrast agent for interstitialMagnetic Resonance Lymphography (MRL) in rabbits, and second, to extend the study tohumans, if the initial results were satisfactory. In our experiment, gadobutrol was injected intotwelve white New Zealand rabbits. In nine animals, 0.5 ml of gadobutrol was subcutaneouslyadministered through each foot pad of the hindlegs while in the remaining three animals theagent was given in each foot of the forelegs. In four of the nine rabbits, slight local massage wasapplied at the site of administration. Subsequently, we proceeded to administer 5 ml (4.5 mlgadobutrol mixed with 0.5 ml hydrochloride lidocaine) into the limbs of two healthy humans.We achieved imaging of four lymph node groups (popliteal, inguinal, iliac and paraortic) inthe hind-legs of the nine-rabbit group, whereas, in the forelegs of the remaining three rabbits,three lymph node groups (axillary, parasternal, mediastinal) were depicted. The flow of thecontrast agent was significantly faster in the rabbits that received local massage (P<0.02). Inhumans, normal lymph vessels, as well as inguinal lymph nodes, were depicted in the legs. Noside-effects were observed either in the rabbits or humans.