First name
Fernando
Middle name
A
Last name
Escobar

Title

State-of-the-art imaging for lymphatic evaluation in children.

Year of Publication

2022

Date Published

08/2022

ISSN Number

1432-1998

Abstract

The lymphatic system has been poorly understood and its importance neglected for decades. Growing understanding of lymphatic flow pathophysiology through peripheral and central lymphatic flow imaging has improved diagnosis and treatment options in children with lymphatic diseases. Flow dynamics can now be visualized by different means including dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiography (DCMRL), the current standard technique to depict central lymphatics. Novel imaging modalities including intranodal, intrahepatic and intramesenteric DCMRL are quickly evolving and have shown important advances in the understanding and guidance of interventional procedures in children with intestinal lymphatic leaks. Lymphatic imaging is gaining importance in the radiologic and clinical fields and new techniques are emerging to overcome its limitations.

DOI

10.1007/s00247-022-05469-6

Alternate Title

Pediatr Radiol

PMID

35980463

Title

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography: feasibility of using ferumoxytol in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Year of Publication

2022

Date Published

2022 Jan 10

ISSN Number

1432-1084

Abstract

<p><strong>PURPOSE: </strong>To assess the feasibility of direct intra-lymphatic administration of diluted ferumoxytol as a T1-positive contrast agent for dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography (DCMRL) imaging of the central lymphatics in children with renal disease.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>In vitro scan of dilute ferumoxytol was initially performed using time-resolved and high-resolution 3D gradient echo (GRE) sequences with short TE values (1 to 1.5&nbsp;ms). A ferumoxytol concentration of 0.25 to 0.40&nbsp;mg/mL was found to retain high signal in the T1-weighted sequences. DCMRL was then performed in 4 children with renal disease with the same 3D GRE sequences administrating diluted ferumoxytol via intra-mesenteric (IM), intra-hepatic (IH), and intra-nodal (IN) routes (6 to 9&nbsp;mL to each site; average total dose of 0.75&nbsp;mg/kg) by slow hand injection (0.5 to 1.0&nbsp;mL/min). The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the lymphatics was measured for quantitative evaluation.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Ferumoxytol-enhanced DCMRL was technically successful in all patients. Contrast conspicuity within the lymphatics was sufficient without subtraction. The mean SNR was significantly higher than the muscle (50.1 ± 12.2 vs 13.2 ± 2.8; t = 15.9; p &lt; .001). There were no short-term complications attributed to the administration of ferumoxytol in any of the four patients.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Magnetic resonance lymphangiography using ferumoxytol via IN, IH, and IM access is a new method to directly visualize the central lymphatic system and can be applied safely in patients with renal failure based on our preliminary report of four cases. Ferumoxytol-enhanced DCMRL shows diagnostic image quality by using 3D GRE sequences with short TE values and appropriate dilution of ferumoxytol.</p>

<p><strong>KEY POINTS: </strong>• MR lymphangiography using ferumoxytol via intra-nodal, intra-hepatic, and intra-mesenteric access is a new method to directly visualize the central lymphatic system from the groin to the venous angle. • FDCMRL can be applied safely in patients with renal failure based on our preliminary report of four cases. • FDCMRL shows diagnostic image quality by using 3D GRE sequences with short TE values and appropriate dilution of the ferumoxytol.</p>

DOI

10.1007/s00330-021-08448-x

Alternate Title

Eur Radiol

PMID

35001156

Title

Liver lymphatic anatomy and role in systemic lymphatic disease.

Year of Publication

2021

Date Published

2021 Jun 24

ISSN Number

1432-1084

Abstract

<p><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>To characterize hepatic to systemic lymphatic connections in patients with systemic lymphatic disease using intra-hepatic lymphangiography and to compare outcomes after lymphatic intervention.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>In this retrospective study, patients with intra-hepatic lymphangiography from May 2014 - April 2019 at our institution were included. Imaging review was performed and hepatic lymphatic connections and flow patterns were characterized. Clinical data were reviewed and comparisons between patients undergoing lymphatic intervention with or without abnormal hepatic lymphatics were performed.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>During the study period, 105 patients underwent intra-hepatic lymphangiography. Primary clinical presentation included ascites (19/105), chylothorax (27/105), plastic bronchitis (PB) (17/105), and protein losing enteropathy (PLE) (42/105). Five categories of hepatic lymphatic connections and flow patterns were identified (%): normal (25%, 26/105), hepatoperitoneal (12%, 13/105), hepatopulmonary (10.5%, 11/105), hepatomesenteric (7.5%, 8/105), and hepatoduodenal (41%, 43/105) with four patients having more than one abnormal pattern. A comparison between clinical presentation and imaging category revealed an increased likelihood of having ascites with hepatoperitoneal (p &lt; .0001), chylothorax/PB with hepatopulmonary (p = .01), and PLE with hepatoduodenal (p &lt; .001) connections. Seventy-six patients had a lymphatic intervention, 24% with normal, and 76% with abnormal liver lymphatics. There was no difference in length of hospital stay or mortality between the two groups, but there was a prolonged time to symptom resolution (p = .006) and persistent symptoms after 6&nbsp;months (5% vs 44%, p = .002) in the group with abnormal liver lymphatics.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>We identified five liver lymphatic imaging categories with a substantial correlation to presenting lymphatic disease. Abnormal imaging patterns correlated with increased morbidity. Evaluation of liver lymphatics should be considered in patients with a systemic lymphatic disease if central lymphatic imaging is normal.</p>

<p><strong>KEY POINTS: </strong>• We identified five liver lymphatic imaging patterns: normal, hepatoperitoneal, hepatomesenteric, hepatopulmonary, and hepatoduodenal. • Imaging patterns were correlated with disease presentation (normal - chylothorax/PB, hepatoperitoneal - ascites/chylothorax, hepatopulmonary - chylothorax/PB, hepatoduodenal - PLE). • Abnormal imaging patterns correlated with increased morbidity.</p>

DOI

10.1007/s00330-021-08098-z

Alternate Title

Eur Radiol

PMID

34165621

Title

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiography.

Year of Publication

2021

Date Published

2021 Apr 08

ISSN Number

1432-1998

Abstract

<p>Lymphatic flow disorders include a broad spectrum of abnormalities that can originate in the lymphatic or the venous system. The development of these disorders is multifactorial and is most commonly associated with congenital heart diseases and palliative surgeries that these patients undergo. Central lymphatic disorders might be secondary to traumatic leaks, lymphatic overproduction, conduction abnormalities or lymphedema, and they can progress to perfusion anomalies. Several imaging modalities have been used to visualize the lymphatic system. However, the imaging of central lymphatic flow has always been challenging. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiography (DCMRL) allows for visualization of central lymphatic flow disorders and has been recently applied for the assessment of plastic bronchitis, protein-losing enteropathy, chylothorax and chylopericardium, among other lymphatic disorders. The hepatic and mesenteric accesses are innovative and promising techniques for better identification and understanding of these abnormalities. The main objectives of this review are to discuss the physiology and anatomy of the lymphatic system and review the current uses of DCMRL in the diagnosis and management of lymphatic flow disorders.</p>

DOI

10.1007/s00247-021-05051-6

Alternate Title

Pediatr Radiol

PMID

33830292

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