The constant development of imaging modalities in the field of lymphology has led to the gradual introduction of lymphofluoroscopy as a “standard-of-care” imaging technique complementing the traditional lymphoscintigraphic approach. Lymphofluoroscopy allows for the unique quantitative and qualitative assessment of the superficial lymphatic system through its visualization with a near-infrared camera following intradermal injection of Indocyanine green fluorescent dye. These real-time high-resolution images provide clinicians with valuable information on lesioned superficial lymphatic anatomical areas, the identification of various types of functional pathologies, and possible risk factors for complications. Their immediate interpretation may be applied to individualize and improve prevention as well as all aspects of non-invasive decongestive treatment. Furthermore, lymphofluoroscopy has a significant value in the operating room as a means of mapping and identifying functional and dysfunctional collectors, sentinel lymph nodes, and diagnosing the patency of lympho-venous anastomoses, among others. And finally, it is an objective scientific tool that can also be used for verifying the efficacy of various treatment protocols, including established modalities of manual lymphatic drainage and compression therapy devices. The aim of this chapter is to describe the materials and methodology of a basic lymphofluoroscopy exam and to provide foundational knowledge related to the interpretation of images and their application in evidence-based health care. The contents of this chapter are based on the experience of 4700 lymphofluoroscopy examinations realized between 2010 and 2024 through a fruitful collaboration with different European reference lymphology teams.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Near-Infrared Fluorescence Lymphatic Imaging

  • Jean-Paul Belgrado,
  • Sophie Vankerckhove,
  • Liesbeth Vandermeeren,
  • Velika Stoichkova

摘要

The constant development of imaging modalities in the field of lymphology has led to the gradual introduction of lymphofluoroscopy as a “standard-of-care” imaging technique complementing the traditional lymphoscintigraphic approach. Lymphofluoroscopy allows for the unique quantitative and qualitative assessment of the superficial lymphatic system through its visualization with a near-infrared camera following intradermal injection of Indocyanine green fluorescent dye. These real-time high-resolution images provide clinicians with valuable information on lesioned superficial lymphatic anatomical areas, the identification of various types of functional pathologies, and possible risk factors for complications. Their immediate interpretation may be applied to individualize and improve prevention as well as all aspects of non-invasive decongestive treatment. Furthermore, lymphofluoroscopy has a significant value in the operating room as a means of mapping and identifying functional and dysfunctional collectors, sentinel lymph nodes, and diagnosing the patency of lympho-venous anastomoses, among others. And finally, it is an objective scientific tool that can also be used for verifying the efficacy of various treatment protocols, including established modalities of manual lymphatic drainage and compression therapy devices. The aim of this chapter is to describe the materials and methodology of a basic lymphofluoroscopy exam and to provide foundational knowledge related to the interpretation of images and their application in evidence-based health care. The contents of this chapter are based on the experience of 4700 lymphofluoroscopy examinations realized between 2010 and 2024 through a fruitful collaboration with different European reference lymphology teams.