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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] In a broad aspect, the present invention provides methods and systems for identifying and imaging lymphatic structures in a subject. To this end, the present invention preferably comprises the administration of contrast agents that are preferentially taken up by the lymphatic system and allow for enhanced visualization of the afferent lymphatics and regional lymph nodes. Unlike prior art imaging agents that have been used for such imaging purposes, contrast agents compatible with the present invention are not limited to relatively small particle sizes. Rather, preferred contrast agents of the present invention comprise microbubble preparations having mean bubble sizes on the order of from about one micron to about ten microns. Surprisingly, it has been found that such agents are readily taken up by the lymphatic structures in relatively short order and may easily be detected and imaged using common imaging modalities such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention will comprise the use of microbubble preparations incorporating an insoluble gas, such as a fluorocarbon, that provides for relatively long half-lives. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such compositions will preferably be administered interstitially in the region of the lymph node to be imaged.

Problems solved by technology

As particles approach 1000 nm, their uptake into lymphatics is so poor that they become ineffective.

This technique, called direct lymphangiography, is performed to detect tumor deposits in lymph nodes but is limited to the few regions of the body where direct canulation of the lymph vessel is possible.

These agents, although phagocytosed, are not sufficiently retained in the lymph node to halt their progress and highlight several lymph nodes in the local chain.

However, because they lack the functionality of white blood cells, they can become trapped in the lymph node and grow.

Unfortunately, although certain patterns in the spread of tumors are recognized, these patterns are complicated.

The failure to identify sentinel nodes results from the fact that they are indistinguishable from breast tissue unless colored blue.

Unfortunately, the dye has unpredictable and rapid clearance, and, possibly, the drainage pattern varies.

Thus, only a few minutes are available between operating too early (where no nodes are stained) or too late (where too many nodes are stained).

Although radiolabelled colloids have a more delayed transit, they are invisible intraoperatively, limiting guidance; they only provide a skin-marking option, and they contaminate the operative field with radioactivity, decreasing the target to background ratio and increasing the complexity of the procedure.

As such, they may complicate normal procedures in the operating room.

Although these agents can visualize nodes, they do not provide any specificity as they visualize all nodes that drain or do not drain a tissue of interest.

Therefore, they do not allow the recognition of the sentinel node in the regional nodal chain.

Moreover, this technique does not permit the recognition of the sentinel node in regional nodes as it enhances the vascular space of all nodes.