The assessment of lymphatic system in lymphedema with magnetic resonance lymphangiography / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the MR lymphangiography (MRL)in diagnosis of limb lymphedema.Methods A total of 582 patients with lymphedemtous limbs were enrolled in the study,MRL was performed at 3.0T MR.The morphology and enhancement of the lymph nodes,the number of lymphatic vessels and the lymph flow were evaluated.Results No matter in primary or secondary lymphedema,there were patients showed only lymph nodes affected,or only lymph vessels affected,and some patients showed both affected.Lymphatic aplasia,hypoplasia or hyperplasia were showed in primary lymphedema.Obstruction lymphatic vessels,and lym-phangiectasia were showed in secondary lymphedema.The velocity of lymph flow was (1.0±0.62)cm/min in affected limb of pa-tients with primary lymphedema,which was significantly slower than that of affected limb of patients with secondary lymphedema (2.22±1.64)cm/min(P<0.01)in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRL.In both type of lymphedema,the contrast enhanced lymph nodes showed less nodes with delayed enhancement and lower signal intensity,compared to that of lymph nodes in the contralateral normal side.Conclusion Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRL is helpful for assessing the anatomical and functional status of lymphatic system in lymphedematous limb.This new imaging techniques provides a powerful tool for the diagnosis of lymphedema.