QUANTITATIVE-EVALUATION OF INTRAARTERIAL LYMPHOCYTE INJECTION THERAPYFOR LYMPH EDEMA USING MR-IMAGING

Five patients with unilateral leg lymph edema had intraarterial inject ions of lymphocytes in the affected leg with consequent improvement in 3. To assess the degree of lymph edema, T2 and intensity ratio betwee n the 2 legs in STIR images were used. Mean and SD of T2 values in the subcutaneous tissue were measured using a triple echo sequence and fo und larger on the edematous side than in the opposite extremity. The m ean T2 shortening obtained after the lymphocyte therapy correlated wel l with the reduction of limb circumference. Mean T2 reflects the fluid content, and SD of T2 the fluid distribution in the subcutaneous tiss ue. The degree of lymph edema and the effect of therapy can be evaluat ed quantitatively by measuring the value of the T2 relaxation time.