Technologies

Description

A UC San Diego researcher has developed a new method for the identification of the first or sentinel lymph node that drains a 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 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 without resorting to more radical lymphadenectomy. Furthermore, 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.