MR lymphangiography for the innovations in diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K19832
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Radiation science
• Research Institution: National Defense Medical College
• Principal Investigator: Soga Shigeyoshi 防衛医科大学校(医学教育部医学科進学課程及び専門課程、動物実験施設、共同利用研究施設、病院並びに防衛, 放射線医学, 講師 (80365387)
• Research Collaborator: OHNISHI Fumio 埼玉医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (80327569) ; SHINMOTO Hiroshi 防衛医科大学校, 教授 (00206335) ; JINZAKI Masahiro 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 教授 (80216259)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: リンパ管造影 / MR lymphangiography / リンパ浮腫 / リンパ管 / MRI / MRリンパ管造影

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Image analyses of high-resolution magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL), an emerging imaging method, revealed that patterns of abnormal MRL findings significantly change with the progression of the lymphedema. We developed an MRL severity classification for lymphedema based on these findings. Supermicrosurgical procedures including lymphovenous anastomosis were performed based on MRL findings to evaluate the usefulness of MRL as preoperative imaging. New treatment strategies were proposed based on the results. Novel MR imaging techniques showed the successful visualization of peripheral lymphatics that were difficult to delineate with conventional techniques. Comparison between various MRL methods and currently available techniques (fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green, lymphoscintigraphy, and intranodal lymphangiography, etc.) clarified advantages and disadvantages of each modality.

Free Research Field

放射線医学　画像診断　血管内治療　画像ガイド下治療