Department of Radiology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
Functional and Molecular Imaging Group, Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, 263-0004, Japan.
Eur Radiol. 2023 Jul;33(7):5028-5036. doi: 10.1007/s00330-023-09423-4. Epub 2023 Jan 31.
To establish a CT lymphangiography method in mice via direct lymph node puncture.
We injected healthy mice (n = 8) with 50 µl of water-soluble iodine contrast agent (iomeprol; iodine concentration, 350 mg/mL) subcutaneously into the left-rear foot pad (interstitial injection) and 20 µl of the same contrast agent directly into the popliteal lymph node (direct puncture) 2 days later. Additionally, we performed interstitial MR lymphangiography on eight mice as a control group. We calculated the contrast ratio for each lymph node and visually assessed the depiction of lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels on a three-point scale.
The contrast ratios of 2-min post-injection images of sacral and lumbar-aortic lymph nodes were 20.7 ± 16.6 (average ± standard deviation) and 17.1 ± 12.0 in the direct puncture group, which were significantly higher than those detected in the CT or MR interstitial lymphangiography groups (average, 1.8-3.6; p = 0.008-0.019). The visual assessment scores for sacral lymph nodes, lumbar-aortic lymph nodes, and cisterna chyli were significantly better in the direct puncture group than in the CT interstitial injection group (p = 0.036, 0.009 and 0.001, respectively). The lymphatic vessels between these structures were significantly better scored in direct puncture group than in the CT or MR interstitial lymphangiography groups at 2 min after injection (all p ≤ 0.05).
In CT lymphangiography in mice, the direct lymph node puncture provides a better delineation of the lymphatic pathways than the CT/MR interstitial injection method.
• The contrast ratios of 2-min post-injection images in the direct CT lymphangiography group were significantly higher than those of CT/MR interstitial lymphangiography groups. • The visibility of lymphatic vessels in subjective analysis in the direct CT lymphangiography group was significantly better in the direct puncture group than in the CT/MR interstitial lymphangiography groups. • CT lymphangiography with direct lymph node puncture can provide excellent lymphatic delineation with contrast being maximum at 2 min after injection.
通过直接淋巴结穿刺建立小鼠 CT 淋巴管造影方法。
我们向健康小鼠（n=8）的左后足底垫皮内注射 50μl 水溶性碘造影剂（碘普罗胺；碘浓度 350mg/ml），2 天后向腘淋巴结直接注射 20μl 相同造影剂（直接穿刺）。此外，我们还对 8 只小鼠进行了间质 MR 淋巴管造影作为对照组。我们计算了每个淋巴结的对比率，并对淋巴结和淋巴管的显影情况进行了三分制的视觉评估。
直接穿刺组注射后 2 分钟骶淋巴结和腰主动脉淋巴结的对比率分别为 20.7±16.6（平均值±标准差）和 17.1±12.0，明显高于 CT 或 MR 间质淋巴管造影组（平均值 1.8-3.6；p=0.008-0.019）。直接穿刺组骶淋巴结、腰主动脉淋巴结和胸导管的视觉评估评分明显优于 CT 间质注射组（p=0.036、0.009 和 0.001）。注射后 2 分钟，直接穿刺组这些结构之间的淋巴管评分明显优于 CT 或 MR 间质淋巴管造影组（均 p≤0.05）。
在小鼠 CT 淋巴管造影中，直接淋巴结穿刺比 CT/MR 间质注射法能更好地描绘淋巴管通路。
直接 CT 淋巴管造影组注射后 2 分钟的图像对比率明显高于 CT/MR 间质淋巴管造影组。
直接 CT 淋巴管造影组主观分析中淋巴管的可视性明显优于 CT/MR 间质淋巴管造影组。
直接淋巴结穿刺 CT 淋巴管造影可在注射后 2 分钟提供最佳的淋巴显影，造影剂浓度最高。
