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Photoacoustic lymphangiography
Author(s) -
Kajita Hiroki,
Oh Anna,
Urano Moemi,
Takemaru Masashi,
Imanishi Nobuaki,
Otaki Marika,
Yagi Takayuki,
Aiso Sadakazu,
Kishi Kazuo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.25575
Subject(s) - lymphatic system , indocyanine green , photoacoustic imaging in biomedicine , microangiography , medicine , lymphedema , dermis , lymphatic vessel , biomedical engineering , pathology , imaging phantom , lymph , nuclear medicine , anatomy , optics , cancer , physics , breast cancer , metastasis
Background and objectives Photoacoustic lymphangiography, which is based on photoacoustic technology, is an optical imaging that visualizes the distribution of light absorbing tissue components like hemoglobin or melanin, as well as optical absorption contrast imaging agents like indocyanine green (ICG) in the lymphatic channels, with high spatial resolution. In this report, we introduce the three‐dimensional (3D) images of human lymphatic vessels obtained with photoacoustic lymphangiography. Methods We used the 3D photoacoustic visualization system (PAI‐05). Some healthy subjects and lymphedema patients were recruited. To image the lymphatic structures of the limbs ICG was administered subcutaneously as in fluorescence lymphangiography. Photoacoustic images were acquired by irradiating the tissue using a laser at wavelengths of near‐infrared region. On the same occasion, fluorescence images were also recorded. Results The lymphatic vessels up to the diameter of 0.2 mm could be observed three‐dimensionally with the venules around them. In the patient‐group, dermal backflow patterns were often observed as dense interconnecting 3D structures of lymphatic vessels. Collecting vessels passing below the dermis were also observed, which were not observed by fluorescence lymphography. Conclusions Photoacoustic lymphangiography provided the detailed observation of each lymphatic vessel, leading to deeper understanding of 3D structures and physiological state of the vessel.