Ultrasound Elastography for the Evaluation of Lymph Nodes

Abstract

The differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy is important for predicting prognosis, staging, and monitoring the treatment, especially for cancer patients. Conventional computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging characterize lymph node (LN) with disappointing sensitivity and specificity. Conventional ultrasound with the advantage of high resolution has been widely used for the LN evaluation. Ultrasound elastography (UE) using color map or shear wave velocity can non-invasively demonstrate the stiffness and homogeneity of both the cortex and medulla of LNs and can detect early circumscribed malignant infiltration. There is a need of a review to comprehensively discuss the current knowledge of the applications of various UE techniques in the evaluation of LNs. In this review, we discussed the principles of strain elastography and shear wave-based elastography, and their advantages and limitations in the evaluation of LNs. In addition, we comprehensively introduced the applications of various UE techniques in the differential diagnosis of reactive LNs, lymphoma, metastatic LNs, and other lymphadenopathy. Moreover, the applications of endoscopic UE and endobronchial UE are also discussed, including their use for improving the positive rate of diagnosis of fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Dendritic Cell Migration Is Tuned by Mechanical Stiffness of the Confining Space

“…Taken together, we found that immature DCs under complete confinement surrounded by gels with different stiffness properties exhibited mechanical load-dependent morphology and motility changes. This provides clear evidence [21,22,35]. While DC motility has been intensively studied using PDMS microstructures, the elastic modulus of agarose gel better mimics these soft tissues.…”

“…This allows us to investigate the intrinsic motility of DCs in a well-confined, soft environment. [21,22,35]. While DC motility has been intensively studied using PDMS microstructures, the elastic modulus of agarose gel better mimics these soft tissues.…”

“… Experimental approaches to study cellular migration under confinement. ( A ) Elastic moduli of representative tissues in which DC motility has been intensively studied [ 21 , 22 , 35 ]. While DC motility has been intensively studied using PDMS microstructures, the elastic modulus of agarose gel better mimics these soft tissues.…”

Tuberculosis conundrum - current and future scenarios: A proposed comprehensive approach combining laboratory, imaging, and computing advances

“…US elastography: [Strain/shear wave] is useful for further evaluation of lymph nodes and the detection of complications such as fibrosis[ 37 , 38 ]. US elastography (USE) techniques are classified by the type of excitation applied: (1) Strain elastography; and (2) Shear wave elastography.…”

Modelling of magnetic microbubbles to evaluate contrast enhanced magnetomotive ultrasound in lymph nodes – a pre-clinical study

“…14,15 However, this method of differentiating metastatic lymph nodes is highly operator-dependent, 16 and indeed no single parameter has sufficient diagnostic performance. 17 This points to a need for a more reliable and robust method for pre-treatment staging and risk stratification of CRC, specifically for locating and evaluating lymph nodes and tumour deposits. 9 Microbubbles have been used as an ultrasound contrast agent for decades, 18 and have recently been applied for sentinel lymph node localisation.…”