Lymphotrophic nanoparticle enhanced MR imaging (LNMRI) for lymph node imaging.

Nodal staging is an integral part of the pretreatment staging of any patient with malignancy and has therapeutic and prognostic implications. Currently used imaging techniques used for nodal evaluation are limited in accuracy because they rely on size criteria for the detection of metastases. This has led to the emergence of lymphotropic nanoparticle enhanced magnetic resonance imaging as a promising tool for nodal characterization. This article reviews the properties of lymphotropic iron oxide nanoparticles and the technique, image interpretation, and initial clinical experience with lymphotropic nanoparticle enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.