Current Status, Pitfalls and Future Directions in the Diagnosis and Therapy of Lymphatic Malformation.

Current Status, Pitfalls and Future Directions in the Diagnosis and Therapy of Lymphatic Malformation.

J Biophotonics. 2017 Aug 29;:

Authors: Sun RW, Tuchin VV, Zharov VP, Galanzha EI, Richter GT

Abstract
Lymphatic malformations (LM) are complex congenital vascular lesions composed of dilated, abnormal lymphatic channels of varying size that can result in significant aesthetic and physical impairment due to relentless growth. LMs comprised of micro-lymphatic channels (microcystic) integrate and infiltrate normal soft tissue, leading to a locally invasive mass. Ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assist in the diagnosis but are unable to detect microvasculature present in microcystic LM. In this review, we examine existing tools and elaborate on alternative diagnostic methods in assessing LM. In particular, photoacoustics (PA), low-toxicity nanoparticles and optical clearing can overcome existing challenges in the examination of lymphatic channels in vivo. In combination with photothermal (PT) cytometry/flow cytometry (FC), PA may provide a versatile tool for lymphatic-related clinical applications, potentially leading to a single diagnostic and therapeutic platform to overcome limitations in current imaging techniques and permit targeted theranostics of microcystic LM.

PMID: 28851128 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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