Alternative Evaluation of the Right Axillary Lymphatic Pathway by Using Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MR Lymphangiography

Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging. 2022 Oct 27;4(5):e220035. doi: 10.1148/ryct.220035. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Abstract

The lymphatic system plays an integral part in fluid homeostasis. Disturbances in lymphatic pathways are congenital, posttraumatic, or posttreatment related, such as after Fontan palliation. Lymphatic pathway evaluation is challenging because of the difficulty in introducing contrast material into the lymphatics. Intranodal, intramesenteric, and intrahepatic dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography (DCMRL) offer better visualization of major lymphatic pathways. However, these techniques exclude pathways outside the central conduction system, preventing the visualization of abnormalities and, thus, administration of treatment. The authors describe alternative imaging of an axillary pathway via DCMRL in a patient with a symptomatic chylous effusion not previously assessed with current techniques. Keywords: Lymphatic, MR-Dynamic Contrast Enhanced, Pediatrics, Thorax, Pleura Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2022.

Keywords: Lymphatic; MR–Dynamic Contrast Enhanced; Pediatrics; Pleura; Thorax.

Publication types

  • Case Reports