Use of USPIO-induced magnetic susceptibility artifacts to identity sentinel lymph nodes and lymphatic drainage patterns. I. dependence of artifact size with subcutaneous Combidex® dose in rats

Subcutaneously administered Combidex® contrast agent produced characteristic magnetic susceptibility artifacts in gradient-echo (GE) images of rat brachial and axillary lymph nodes. These artifacts were useful in the rapid location and identification of normal sentinel lymph nodes. A linear dose response was observed with maximum artifact size in transverse images and was used noninvasively to study lymphatic drainage patterns.