Visualizing the lymphatic vessels and flow with high-resolution ultrasound and microvascular flow imaging

Vullings, Joep J. J.; van Schaik, Caroline J.; Fütterer, Jurgen J.; de Korte, Chris L.; Klein, Willemijn M.

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Technical Note

Visualizing the lymphatic vessels and flow with high-resolution ultrasound and microvascular flow imaging

Joep J. J. Vullings¹

, Caroline J. van Schaik¹

, Jurgen J. Fütterer¹

, Chris L. de Korte²

, Willemijn M. Klein¹

¹Department of Medical Imaging Radiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
²Department of Medical Imaging Radiology, Medical Ultrasound Imaging Center MUSIC, Radboud University Medical Center , Nijmegen, Netherlands

Corresponding Author: Joep J. J. Vullings ,Tel: +31243619675, Fax: 0031243610205, Email: joep.vullings@radboudumc.nl

Received: December 27, 2022; Accepted: February 22, 2023. Published online: February 22, 2023.

ABSTRACT

Imaging of the lymphatic system has always encountered difficulties, being costly, time-consuming, or producing low-resolution images. Each method of imaging provides its own challenges. The use of High-Resolution Ultrasound (HR-US) and Microvascular Flow Imaging (MFVI) may prove to be the most effective to visualize the superficial lymphatic vessels. We investigated the utilization of HR-US and MFVI in imaging inguinal lymph nodes and vessels and, the innovative use of an intranodal saline injection which acts as a contrast agent. This technical note aims to demonstrate that HR-US and MFVI, in combination with the intranodal saline injection, are applicable in the (dynamic) imaging of superficial inguinal lymph nodes and vessels.

Keywords: Ultrasonography; Lymphatic system; Lymphangiography; Lymphatic Abnormalities