Diagnostic imaging of lymph structures
First Claim
1. A method for diagnosing a lymphatic disorder of one or more lymph structures in a subject, said method comprising:
- administering in the region of one or more lymph structures of said subject a diagnostically effective amount of a particulate ultrasound contrast agent, said contrast agent having a mean particle size in the range of about 1 micron up to about 10 microns in diameter, wherein said contrast agent is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly such that at least a portion of said contrast agent enters the lymphatic circulation of the subject;
imaging said subject using ultrasound whereby at least one regional lymph structure is detected on the image by measuring said contrast agent in the lymphatic circulation, and detecting the lymphatic disorder by comparing the image of the at least one regional lymph structure with that of a normal lymph structure.
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Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for identifying the sentinel lymph node in a drainage field for a tissue or organ in a subject. In select embodiments, the invention allows for the identification of the first or sentinel lymph node that drains the tissue or organ, particularly those tissues associated with neoplastic or infectious diseases and disorders, and within the pertinent lymph drainage basin. Once the drainage basin from the tissue or organ, i.e., the sentinel lymph node, is identified, a pre-operative or intraoperative mapping of the affected lymphatic structure can be carried out with a contrast agent. Identification of the first or sentinel lymph node, on the most direct drainage pathway in the drainage field, can be accomplished by a variety of imaging techniques, including ultrasound, MRI, CT, nuclear and others. Moreover, once the lymphatic structure is identified as being associated with neoplastic or infectious diseases and disorders, the affected lymphatic structure can be removed surgically or by a suitable minimally invasive procedure to allow pathological analysis to be performed to determine whether certain diseases or disorders exist, without resort to more radical lymphadenectomy. Further, the agent can be made to carry diagnostic or therapeutic probes to be activated and/or delivered to the injection site or any part of the lymphatic pathway downstream from the injection site.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for diagnosing a lymphatic disorder of one or more lymph structures in a subject, said method comprising:
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administering in the region of one or more lymph structures of said subject a diagnostically effective amount of a particulate ultrasound contrast agent, said contrast agent having a mean particle size in the range of about 1 micron up to about 10 microns in diameter, wherein said contrast agent is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly such that at least a portion of said contrast agent enters the lymphatic circulation of the subject;
imaging said subject using ultrasound whereby at least one regional lymph structure is detected on the image by measuring said contrast agent in the lymphatic circulation, and detecting the lymphatic disorder by comparing the image of the at least one regional lymph structure with that of a normal lymph structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for detecting a sentinel lymph node in a subject, said method comprising:
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administering to tumor-bearing tissue of said subject a diagnostically effective amount of a particulate ultrasound contrast agent comprising a plurality of microbubbles having a mean particle size in the range of about 1 micron up to about 10 microns in diameter, wherein the contrast agent is administered intramuscularly, subcutaneously, dermally, transdermally, intraepidermally or intraparenchymally and wherein at least a portion of the contrast agent passes from the site of administration to enter into the lymphatic circulation of the subject; and
imaging said subject using ultrasound so as to detect the lymph node nearest the tumor in the tumor bearing tissue. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification