Three dimensional anatomy of the lymphatic system in a fresh cadaver using multi-detector-row computed tomography

本研究旨在阐明小腿淋巴系统的三维解剖结构，以及淋巴水肿时淋巴系统的变化。我们将造影剂注入人尸体的淋巴系统，用计算机体层摄影术对淋巴系统进行了成像，发现小腿淋巴流有五种类型。这一知识在外科医生决定淋巴结清扫区域时非常重要。发现部分淋巴集合管中断，造影剂返流至淋巴管。这有助于了解人体淋巴水肿的机制。

We elucidated three dimensional anatomy of the lymphatic systemn in lower leg, and lymphatic changes in lymph edema.First, we developed new contrast medium for lymphatic system in fresh cadaver. We injected the contrast medium to lymphatic system in human cadaer and imaged the lymphatic system by computed tomography.We found that five patterns of lymphatic flow are exsted in lower legs. This kwouledge is very important when surgeons decide the lyuphnode dissection area. And we found that some lymph collecting vessels are interrupded and contrast medium flew back to the lymph capillary. This helps understanding to the mechanism of human lymph edema.