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Updated: May 20, 2026
Non-invasive Optical Imaging of the Lymphatic Vasculature of a Mouse
Published on: March 8, 2013
Interstitial MR lymphography in mice: comparative study with gadofluorine 8, gadofluorine M, and gadofluorine P
Shigeru Kiryu1, Yusuke Inoue, Fugeng Sheng
1Department of Radiology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. kiryu-tky@umin.ac.jp
Purpose:
We investigated the characteristics and capability of interstitial MR lymphography in mice using gadofluorine 8, gadofluorine M, and gadofluorine P.
Methods:
We injected healthy mice with 0.5 µmol of Gd gadofluorine 8, gadofluorine M, or gadofluorine P subcutaneously into the right rear footpad and assessed the time courses of contrast enhancement in the lymph nodes. Six mice were studied for each contrast agent. We also used gadofluorine M to assess the lymphatic pathway from the right and left rear feet or tail.
Results:
Contrast enhancement was demonstrated for the right popliteal, sacral, and iliac lymph nodes in all mice 5 minutes after injection of each of the 3 agents and decreased gradually. Enhancement in the lymph nodes was still detectable 30 minutes after injection of gadofluorine 8 or gadofluorine M. Enhancement became obscure sooner after gadofluorine P injection and was mildly stronger with the other 2 contrast agents. Clear differences were found in the hepatobiliary and urinary kinetics of the 3 agents. Gadofluorine M injected into various sites delineated the lymphatic pathway from the site of injection.
Conclusion:
Interstitial MR lymphography using gadofluorine 8, gadofluorine M, and gadofluorine P offered clear visualization of the lymphatic pathway in healthy mice during a sufficient imaging time window, and allowed repeated assessment of the pathway and clarification of the lymphatic system.
