Radiographic lymphangiographyin the dog using iodized oil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a clinically applicable technique to visualize the medial retropharyngeal, superficial cervical, axillary, superficial inguinal and medial iliac lymph nodes on radiographs. Direct and indirect lymphangiographic methods using iodized oil were repeated for a minimum of five times at eight different locations to enhance the various lymph nodes, using 16 healthy research dogs. Direct lymphangiography, although more invasive than indirect lymphangiography, resulted in uniform contrast uptake by an increased number of nodes and increased enhancement of the lymphatic vasculature, and is recommended for imaging the medial iliac and superficial cervical lymph nodes. Side effects were more frequent after indirect lymphangiography (10/20 injection sites) than after direct lymphangiography (3/16 injection sites). The small size of afferent lymphatic vessels did not allow use of direct lymphangiography for the medial retropharyngeal, axillary and superficial inguinal lymph nodes; however, indirect techniques allowed adequate visualization of these nodes.

Use of indirect lymphography to identify sentinel lymph node in dogs: a pilot study in 30 tumours

“…Injection was performed with a 25G needle into the four quadrants encircling the tumour. A slow rate infiltration (2–4 mL, over 1–5 min) was used as described previously . The injection was done in the tissue from which the mass was originating from or directly within the mass if it was not to change further surgical approach (i.e.…”

“…Indirect lymphography (IL) is defined as the deposit of a contrast medium in the periphery of lymphatic vessels in the view of being absorbed and drained by the lymphatic system . Imaging after contrast uptake [radiography, computed tomodensitometery (CT‐IL), ultrasonography or MRI], subsequently allows the identification of contrast enhanced lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. Authors have reported the use of iodized oil (IO) for direct and IL in dogs.…”

“…Imaging after contrast uptake [radiography, computed tomodensitometery (CT‐IL), ultrasonography or MRI], subsequently allows the identification of contrast enhanced lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. Authors have reported the use of iodized oil (IO) for direct and IL in dogs. In these reports, identification of lymphatic tissue was documented with conventional radiography (R‐IL) or computerized tomodensitometry (CT‐IL) …”

Radiographic evaluation of subcutaneously injected, water-soluble, iodinated contrast for lymphography

“…Described methods of pre-operative SLN mapping in veterinary medicine include lymphoscintigraphy,[14] contrast-enhanced ultrasonography,[6, 26] lipid-soluble iodinated contrast (LIC) with radiography 12,14,15 or computed tomography,[5, 7, 8, 27, 28] and water-soluble iodinated contrast (WIC) with computed tomography. [13, 28–30] Lymphoscintigraphy requires special licensure and specialized equipment that limit the availability of this diagnostic technique.…”

“…While LIC can be used for radiographic evaluation and computed tomographic evaluation, LIC is expensive and can be difficult to obtain. Additionally, optimal imaging evaluation does not occur until 24 to 48 hours after administration[5,7] which adds additional cost and time.…”