Lymphangiogram Health Article

Definition

A lymphangiogram is a special x-ray of the lymph nodes and lymph vessels. Lymph nodes produce white blood cells (lymphocytes) that help fight infections. The lymph nodes also filter and trap cancer cells.

The lymph nodes and vessels are not usually seen on a normal x-ray, so a dye or radioisotope (radioactive compound) is injected into the body to highlight the area being studied.

Alternative Names

Lymphography; Lymphangiography

How the test is performed

The test is done in a hospital radiology department or a health care provider's office.

If you are having the test done because of leg or arm swelling, you may be offered a sedative before the test to help you relax. You sit in a special chair or on an x-ray table. The health care provider cleans your feet, and then injects a small amount of blue dye into the webbing between your toes.

Thin, bluish lines appear on the top of the foot within 15 minutes. These lines identify the lymph channels. The health care provider numbs the area, makes a small surgical cut into one of the larger blue lines, and inserts a thin flexible tube into a lymph channel. This is done for each foot. Dye (contrast medium) flows through the tube very slowly, over a period of 60 to 90 minutes.

A special x-ray machine, called a fluoroscope, projects the images on a TV monitor. The health care provider uses the images to follow the dye as it spreads through the lymphatic system up your legs, groin, and along the back of the abdominal cavity.

Once the dye is completely injected, the catheter is removed and stitches are used to close the surgical cut. The area is bandaged. X-rays are taken of the legs, pelvis, abdomen, and chest areas. More x-rays may be taken the next day.

If the test is being done to see if breast cancer or melanoma has spread, the blue dye is mixed with a radioactive compound. Special cameras watch how the tracer spreads along lymph channels to outlying nodes. This can help surgeons better understand where the cancer has spread when a biopsy is being performed.