Diagnostic imaging of lymph structures

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for identifying the sentinel lymph node in a drainage field for a tissue or organ in a subject. In select embodiments, the invention allows for the identification of the first or sentinel lymph node that drains the tissue or organ, particularly those tissues associated with neoplastic or infectious diseases and disorders, and within the pertinent lymph drainage basin. Once the drainage basin from the tissue or organ, i.e., the sentinel lymph node, is identified, a pre-operative or intraoperative mapping of the affected lymphatic structure can be carried out with a contrast agent. Identification of the first or sentinel lymph node, on the most direct drainage pathway in the drainage field, can be accomplished by a variety of imaging techniques, including ultrasound, MRI, CT, nuclear and others. Moreover, once the lymphatic structure is identified as being associated with neoplastic or infectious diseases and disorders, the affected lymphatic structure can be removed surgically or by a suitable minimally invasive procedure to allow pathological analysis to be performed to determine whether certain diseases or disorders exist, without resort to more radical lymphadenectomy. Further, the agent can be made to carry diagnostic or therapeutic probes to be activated and / or delivered to the injection site or any part of the lymphatic pathway downstream from the injection site.

Description

[0001] In a broad aspect, the present invention is directed to methods of imaging lymphocytic structures. More particularly, the present invention advantageously uses contrast agents to identify and image lymphatic ducts, sentinel nodes and / or other lymph nodes by various means, including ultrasound and MRI.

[0002] The lymphatic system is made of vessels or ducts that begin in tissues and are designed to carry lymph fluid to local lymph nodes where the fluid is filtered and processed and sent to the next lymph node down the line until the fluid reaches the thoracic duct where it enters the blood stream. Lymph vessels infiltrate all tissues and organs of the body. Lymph fluid is generated from capillaries which because of tissue motion and hydrostatic pressure, enters the lymph vessels carrying with it local and foreign substances and materials from the tissues. These local and foreign molecular, micromolecular and macromolecular substances include antigens, infectious agents, particl...