Feasibility study of direct CT lymphangiography in mice: comparison with interstitial CT/MR lymphangiography.

Objectives: To establish a CT lymphangiography method in mice via direct lymph node puncture.

Methods: We injected healthy mice (n = 8) with 50 µl of water-soluble iodine contrast agent (iomeprol; iodine concentration, 350 mg/mL) subcutaneously into the left-rear foot pad (interstitial injection) and 20 µl of the same contrast agent directly into the popliteal lymph node (direct puncture) 2 days later. Additionally, we performed interstitial MR lymphangiography on eight mice as a control group.