Non‐enhanced MR lymphography of the thoracic duct: improved visualization following ingestion of a high fat meal–initial experience

• Published in: Clinical physiology and functional imaging 2017-11, Vol.37 (6), p.730-733
• Main Authors: Chen, Shuo, Tan, Xiangliang, Wu, Renhua, Xu, Yikai, Yang, Canhong, Wang, Maoqiang, Liu, Fengyong, Wang, Zhijun, Yuan, Kai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; chylothorax; Clarity; Dietary Fats - administration & dosage; Fasting; Female; Healthy Volunteers; high fat meal; Humans; Image acquisition; Ingestion; Lymphography; Lymphography - methods; magnetic resonance hydrography; Magnetic resonance imaging; magnetic resonance lymphography; Male; Meals; Postprandial Period; Predictive Value of Tests; Resonance; Thoracic duct; Thoracic Duct - diagnostic imaging; Visualization; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1475-0961; 1475-097X
• DOI: 10.1111/cpf.12366

Summary Purpose The objective of this study was to compare the clarity of magnetic resonance lymphography (MRL) images of the thoracic duct (TD) obtained from subjects following an overnight fast with those obtained from the same subjects after ingestion of a high fat meal. Methods Nineteen healthy volunteers were included in this study. TD images were acquired on a 3·0T MRI system with the imaging sequence of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. TD MRL images were obtained from subjects following an overnight fast and from the same subjects 3–4 h after ingestion of a high fat meal. Images were displayed in maximum intensity projection format and degree of visualization was evaluated using a scoring system. Results The mean TD score obtained following an overnight fast was significantly lower than the mean TD score obtained 3–4 h after ingestion of a high fat meal (P