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Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography lymphangiography with intranodal injection of water-soluble iodine contrast media in microminipig: imaging protocol and feasibility

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Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the optimal imaging protocol and the feasibility of intranodal dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography lymphangiography (DCCTL) in microminipigs.

Methods

The Committee for Animal Research and Welfare provided university approval. Five female microminipigs underwent DCCTL after inguinal lymph node injection of 0.1 mL/kg of iodine contrast media at a rate of 0.3 mL/min with three different iodine concentrations: group 1, 75 mgI/mL; group 2, 150 mgI/mL; and group 3, 300 mgI/mL. The CT values of the venous angle, thoracic duct (TD), cisterna chyli, iliac lymphatic duct, and iliac lymph node were measured; increases in CT values pre- to post-contrast were assessed as the contrast-enhanced index (CEI). Multi-detector row CT (MDCT) and volume rendering images showing the highest CEI were qualitatively evaluated.

Results

The CEI of all lymphatics peaked at 5–10 min. The mean CEI of TD at 10 min of group 2 (193.0 HU) and group 3 (201.5 HU) were significantly higher than that of group 1 (70.7 HU) (p = 0.024). The continuity and overall diagnostic acceptability of all lymphatic system components were better in group 3 (3.6 and 3.0, respectively) than group 1 (2.6 and 1.6) and group 2 (3.0 and 2.6) (p = 0.249 and 0.204).

Conclusions

The optimal imaging protocol for intranodal DCCTL could be dual-phase imaging at 5 and 10 min after the injection of 300 mgI/mL iodinated contrast media. DCCTL provided good images of lymphatics and is potentially feasible in clinical settings.

Key Points

• Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography lymphangiography with intranodal injection of water-soluble iodine contrast media showed the highest enhancement of all lymphatics at scan delays of 5 and 10 min.

• The optimal iodine concentration for intranodal dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography lymphangiography might be 300 mgI/mL.

• Intranodal dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography lymphangiography provided good images of all the lymphatic system components and is potentially feasible in clinical settings.

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Abbreviations

CC:

Cysterna chyli

CEI:

Contrast-enhanced index

DCCTL:

Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography lymphangiography

DCMRL:

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiography

ILD:

Iliac lymphatic duct

ILN:

Iliac lymph node

TD:

Thoracic duct

VA:

Venous angle

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Acknowledgments

We thank Richard Lipkin, PhD, from Edanz Group (www.edanzediting.com/ac) for editing a draft of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Gifu University Hospital, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan

    Yukichi Tanahashi, Hiroshi Kawada, Tomohiro Ando, Satoshi Goshima & Masayuki Matsuo

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan

    Yukichi Tanahashi & Satoshi Goshima

  3. Animal Medical Center, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan

    Ryota Iwasaki

  4. Radiology Service, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, Japan

    Shinichi Shoda

  5. Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan

    Masaki Takasu & Takashi Mori

  6. Department of Frontier Science for Imaging, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan

    Fuminori Hyodo

  7. Center for Highly Advanced Integration of Nano and Life Sciences, Gifu University (G-CHAIN), Gifu, Japan

    Takashi Mori

Authors
  1. Yukichi Tanahashi
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  2. Ryota Iwasaki
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  8. Satoshi Goshima
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  10. Masayuki Matsuo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yukichi Tanahashi.

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Guarantor

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Yukichi Tanahashi, the corresponding author.

Conflict of interest

The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper.

Informed consent

The Committee for Animal Research and Welfare provided university approval.

Ethical approval

The Committee for Animal Research and Welfare provided university approval.

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Yukichi Tanahashi and Satoshi Goshima had moved after the study.

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Tanahashi, Y., Iwasaki, R., Shoda, S. et al. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography lymphangiography with intranodal injection of water-soluble iodine contrast media in microminipig: imaging protocol and feasibility. Eur Radiol 30, 5913–5922 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07031-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07031-0

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