Lymph nodes, spectroscopy

Romeo, M.J., Dukor, R.K. and Diem, M. (2008) Introduction to spectral imaging, and applications to diagnosis of lymph nodes, in Vibrational Spectroscopy for Medical Diagnosis (eds M. Diem, P.R. Griffiths and ).M. Chalmers), John Wiley Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK, pp. 1-26. 

U. Sharma, A. Mehta, V. Seenu, N.R. Jagannathan, Biochemical characterization of metastatic lymph nodes of breast cancer patients by in vitro IH magnetic resonance spectroscopy A pilot study, Magn. Reson. Imaging 22 (2004) 697. 

MRI shows very good results in staging prostate cancer, with correct staging results in up to 90%. Additional techniques like spectroscopy and perfusion allow improving the specificity. Sonography is the diagnostic modality of choice in case of testicular cancer CT or MRI is performed to rule out retroperitoneal lymph nodes. 

The biomedical applications of Raman spectroscopy have been well documented [35]. Frank et al. reported the use of Raman in examining the lymph node biopsy specimens from women with ruptured breast implant. The authors found clear evidence of silicone leaking of the breast implants. The spectra obtained on the lymph node tissue of the patient with leaking implant were significantly different from those obtained on normal lymph node tissues [36]. 

In large experimental animals, with only small numbers available, the kinetics of this clearance pathway can be analyzed using insoluble particles with an appropriate radiolabel and imaging gamma-spectroscopy (gamma-camera). A series of lung scans will provide activity accumulation at the sites of the TBLN as an indicator of particle transport to the TBLN, but this must finally be proved by lymph node tissue analyses at the time of sacrifice. Although carefiil radiation dose estimates would be required, this approach may also be applicable to human subjects. 

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