The development of lymphatic flow imaging method for the clinical application

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K15544
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (2020); Gifu University (2018-2019)
• Principal Investigator: Tanahashi Yukichi 浜松医科大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (40724563)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: ダイナミックリンパ管イメージング / リンパ管造影下CT / リンパ管造影下MRI

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The optimal CT protocol for intranodal dynamic contrast-enhanced CT lymphangiography was developed using microminipigs. The image quality was compared with the intranodal dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography whose efficacy for lymphatic disease is reported. Our result showed that the optimal CT protocol for intranodal dynamic contrast-enhanced CT lymphangiography was dynamic imaging at 5 and 10 minutes after the initiation of contrast media injection. The image quality and visualization of lymphatics were comparable between CT lymphangiography and MR lymphangiography. Our result indicated that intranodal dynamic contrast-enhanced CT lymphangiography may be a good lymphatic imaging and further research will be required.

Free Research Field

画像診断, Interventional radiology

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究において開発した経鼠径リンパ節性リンパ管造影下CTのプロトコールは、汎用性の高いダイナミックリンパ管イメージング法となる可能性が示され、今後の臨床応用を目指す上で重要な基礎データとなると考えられる。今後さらに臨床での有用性、安全性が検証され、安全かつ簡便なリンパ管イメージング法の確立につなげていくことが期待される。