SHORT COMMUNICATION   

Il Giornale Italiano di Radiologia Medica 2019 Marzo-Aprile;6(2):183-90

DOI: 10.23736/S2283-8376.19.00172-4

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Non-contrast magnetic resonance lymphography: technique, indications, interpretation

Michaela CELLINA ¹ ✉, Cristina ROSTI ², Daniele GIBELLI ³, Andrea MENOZZI ⁴, Massimo SORESINA ⁴, Dario BOCCANERA ⁴, Vincenzo DI CANDIDO ¹, Giancarlo OLIVA ¹

¹ Operative Unit of Radiology, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy; ² Operative Unit of Radiology, Vigevano Civil Hospital, Vigevano, Pavia, Italy; ³ Department of Biometric Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; ⁴ Operative Unit of Plastic Surgery, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy

Lymphedema (LE) is still a challenging clinical issue, caused by the accumulation of macromolecules and liquids in the interstitial space, as a result of the lymphatic circulation failure, resulting in a debilitating condition. LE has traditionally been treated with conservative therapies, but the recent advent of new surgical techniques has necessitated the use of imaging techniques to evaluate lymphedema, establish its severity, and study the appearance of lymphatic vessels. There is no general agreement about the best imaging technique to investigate lymphedema. Non-contrast Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography, based on heavy T2-weighted sequences, could be an alternative valid method for the diagnosis and treatment planning of lymphedema. We want to describe the Non-contrast Magnetic Resonance Lymphangiography technique, and provide a summary on its indications, according to the studies published in literature, on the information this imaging technique can give, its limitations and its strengths.

KEY WORDS: Lymphedema; Lymphography; Lower extremity; Upper extremity