Non‐enhanced MR lymphography of the thoracic duct: improved visualization following ingestion of a high fat meal–initial experience

Abstract

The clarity of TD MRL images is improved if subjects have ingested a high fat meal 3-4 h prior to examination.

Magnetic resonance thoracic ductography assessment of serial changes in the thoracic duct after the intake of a fatty meal

“…In addition, improved thoracic duct visibility on MRTD was reported to occur 3–4 h after the intake of a fatty meal (Chen et al. ). These previous results are generally consistent with our results.…”

“…To prevent chylothorax, recognition of the course of the thoracic duct before and during thoracic surgery is important and may be enhanced by the preoperative intake of a fatty meal. As the conveyance of fatty components from the small intestine is thought to dilate the thoracic duct (Robinson, 1985;Chen et al 2017), patients are recommended to intake a meal comprising high-fat ingredients such as milk and cream a few hours before thoracic surgery to improve thoracic duct visibility (Robinson, 1985). To date, however, data regarding serial changes in the thoracic duct after the intake of a fatty meal remain sparse, despite the importance of the appropriate timing of this meal for enhancing thoracic duct recognition during surgery.…”

Chyloabdomen in a cat with pancreatic carcinoma

“…Failure of the lymphangiography in this case might be explained by species differences in absorption of subcutaneously injected contrast media, inappropriate dose of iodixanol, a different contrast media (iopamidol in the previous descriptions) or differences in the underlying disease responsible for chylous effusion. In human medicine, the precision of magnetic resonance lymphangiography images is improved if subjects have ingested a high fat meal 3-4h prior to examination rather than fasting (Chen et al, 2017). It could have been a way to enhance lymphatic networks visualization in our case.…”

Review of Non-Contrast MR-Lymphography Techniques and Findings: Challenges and Opportunities

“…Arrivé et al [18], applied at the end of the echo train a restore pulse to flip the transverse magnetization to the longitudinal direction to reduce the acquisition time. Other sequences can be associated in the examination: axial HASTE without fat suppression (TR: 1200 ms, TE: 114 ms, matrix: 176 × 256, flip angle: 180˚, slice thickness: 6 mm) or Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo asymmetry and Least-squares estimation (IDEAL; acquisition plane: axial, TR: 4233 ms, TE: 76 ms, slice thickness: 6 mm, matrix: 320 × 192, FOV: 380 × 380), this sequence, based on fat/water separation technique, provides contrasts of water and fat, in phase and out of phase and is used for the analysis of lymphedema characteristics [17] [18] [21]- [27] (Table 2).…”

“…Chen et al [27] grade three cannot examine in close magnet bore due to their weight and non-contrast MRI is usually performed on 1.5 T magnet or above [1]. Therefore, open magnet cannot be used which one of the limitations of this technique.…”