Application to treatment and control for lymphedema using real-time fluorescence imaging navigation system

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20669
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: Shiga University of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: Kawai Yuki 滋賀医科大学, 医学部, 非常勤講師 (10581944)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 乳癌 / リンパ浮腫 / ICG蛍光造影法 / 用手的リンパドレナージ / ナビゲーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We examined whether it could be applied as a navigation system that ICG lymphography, which visually captures lymphatic flow, provides scientific evaluation and improvement of the lymphedema treatment procedure of MLD, selection of high-risk patients with postoperative lymphedema after breast cancer, and preservation of upper limb lymphatic flow during axillary lymph node dissection. From the secondary lymphedema model of the rat tail, changes in lymphatic flow velocity and degree of improvement in lymphedema could be observed depending on the degree of compression and the speed of the drainage procedure. ICG lymphography in volunteers allowed lymphatic flow assessment based on mapping of upper limb lymphatic channels and outflow lymph node regions, and differences in MLD procedures. The efficiency of lymphatic flow induction to the collaterals by MLD was altered by many factors. Applied research for patients with postoperative lymphedema of breast cancer is a topic for the future.

Free Research Field

乳腺外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、ICG蛍光造影法を用いてリアルタイムにリンパ流を可視化してMLD手技を評価できる事を示した。今後MLD手技の質の向上と技術革新が図られ、リンパ浮腫治療に独自の新たなエビデンスをもたらすことに繋がるであろう。また、発症頻度が2.5倍もある子宮癌・卵巣癌・前立腺癌術後の下肢リンパ浮腫治療へと応用が可能となり癌患者のQOL向上に寄与すると考えられる。