View source for Lymphogram

'''Lymphography''' is a [[medical imaging]] technique in which a radiopaque [[contrast medium]] is injected, and then an [[X-ray]] picture is taken to visualize structures of the [[lymphatic system]], including [[lymph node]]s, [[Thoracic duct|lymph ducts]], [[lymphatic tissues]], [[lymph capillaries]] and [[lymph vessel]]s.  '''Lymphangiography''' is the same procedure, used only to visualize the [[lymph vessel]]s.  The X-ray film or image of the vessels and nodes is called a '''lymphogram''' or a '''lymphangiogram'''.

It is performed in a hospital [[radiology]] department or in the health care provider's office by an X-ray technician.

Radiographs can be taken after injection of a [[radiopaque]] contrast medium into small lymphatic vessels (these are made visible by prior [[subcutaneous]] [[Injection (medicine)|injection]] of patent blue dye). The resulting lymphogram is used to find the locations of large vessels and nodes, and to identify sites of blockage in lymphatic drainage.

Lymph nodes can also be detected via [[Nuclear medicine|radionuclide imaging]] after injection of radioactive [[colloid]]s. [[Macrophage]]s phagocytose these foreign bodies and sequester in the nodes.

== Procedure ==
* A needle or [[catheter]] is inserted into a lymphatic channel in either the foot or arm, and a contrast medium is injected into the body at a very slow rate (approximately 60 to 90 minutes for all the contrast medium to be injected).
* A [[fluoroscope]] is used to follow the dye as it spreads through the lymphatic system through the legs, into the groin, and along the back of the abdominal cavity.
* Once the contrast medium is injected, the catheter is removed, and the incisions are stitched and bandaged.  X-rays are taken of the legs, pelvis, abdomen, and chest areas.  The next day, another set of X-rays may be taken.
* If a site of [[cancer]] (breast or melanoma) is being studied to evaluate spreading, a mixture of blue dye and a [[radioactive]] tracer is injected next to the mass. Special cameras detect the spread of tracer along lymph channels to outlying nodes.
* A surgeon will then use the visible blue dye or radioactivity within nodes to guide [[biopsy]] within adjacent tissues (such as the arm pit for breast cancer) to determine possible routes of cancer spread.

==Use==
This test is not used as often as it once was, because of the adoption of [[CT scan]] and the [[PET scan]] technologies.

==Name==
The name comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] words ''lymph (νυμφε)'', "water nymph", and ''graphien'', "to write or record". 

==References==
* {{cite journal |author=Guermazi A, Brice P, Hennequin C, Sarfati E |title=Lymphography: an old technique retains its usefulness |journal=Radiographics |volume=23 |issue=6 |pages=1541–58; discussion 1559–60 |year=2003 |pmid=14615563 |doi=10.1148/rg.236035704}} ''[http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/23/6/1541 Full text]''

== External links ==
* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003798.htm About lymphangiogram] ([[National Library of Medicine]] and the [[National Institutes of Health]])


{{Operations and other procedures of the hemic and lymphatic system}}

[[Category: Radiography]]
[[Category:Lymphatic system]]
[[Category:Medical tests]]
[[Category:Oncology]]

[[de: Lymphografie]]
[[pl:Limfografia]]
[[Category:2Fix]]