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Quantification of Thoracic Lymphatic Flow Patterns Using Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MR Lymphangiography.
Qiang Zheng1, Maxim Itkin1, Yong Fan1
1From the School of Computer and Control Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China (Q.Z.); Department of Radiology (M.I., Y.F.) and Center for Lymphatic Disorders (M.I.), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk, Richards Building, 7th Floor, Room D703, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
A new automated method quantifies thoracic lymphatic flow using dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography. This technique accurately measures lymphatic flow rates in neonates, children, and adults with various conditions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Lymphatic System Physiology
- Quantitative Analysis
Background:
- Dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR lymphangiography images lymphatic anatomy and flow.
- Quantifying thoracic lymphatic flow in health and disease remains a challenge.
- Need for a robust method to assess lymphatic function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an automated method for quantifying thoracic lymphatic flow patterns.
- Utilize dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography for quantitative assessment.
- Compare lymphatic flow rates across different patient groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography data from 2015-2016.
- Development of an automated spatiotemporal image segmentation technique.
- Quantification of lymphatic flow rates and statistical comparison between neonates (chylothorax), children (heart failure/plastic bronchitis), and adults (lymphatic plastic bronchitis).
Main Results:
- The automated segmentation method achieved high Dice scores (0.80-0.83).
- Mean lymphatic flow rates varied significantly across groups: 1.8 mL/min (neonates), 4.0 mL/min (children), and 12.5 mL/min (adults).
- Statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) were found between all group comparisons.
Conclusions:
- An automated spatiotemporal segmentation method effectively quantifies thoracic lymphatic flow rates.
- This technique provides objective measurements from dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiography.
- The method enables differentiation of lymphatic flow patterns in various clinical conditions.
