Lymphangiography Health Dictionary

Any cancer of lymphoid tissue (found mainly in the lymph nodes and spleen) other than Hodgkin’s disease. In most cases there is no known cause. Occasionally, the disease is associated with suppression of the immune system, particularly after an organ transplant. One type of nonHodgkin’s lymphoma, known as Burkitt’s lymphoma, is thought to be caused by the Epstein–Barr virus.

There is usually painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck or groin. The liver and spleen may enlarge, and lymphoid tissue in the abdomen may be affected. Many other organs may become involved, leading to diverse symptoms ranging from headache to skin ulceration. Unless it is controlled, the disease (often marked by fever) progressively impairs the immune system, leading to death from infections or an uncontrolled spread of cancer. Diagnosis is based on a biopsy, usually taken from a lymph node. Chest X-ray, CT scanning, MRI, bone marrow biopsy, and lymphangiography of the abdomen may be needed to assess the extent of the disease.

If the lymphoma is confined to a single group of lymph nodes, treatment consists of radiotherapy. More often, the disease is more extensive, and in such cases anticancer drugs are given. A bone marrow transplant, together with drug treatment and/or radiotherapy, may be performed on some people.... lymphoma, non-hodgkin’s

n. imaging of blood vessels (see also coronary angiography; lymphangiography). In the older form of angiography X-ray imaging was carried out after injection of *radiopaque contrast medium and *digital subtraction applied to enhance visualization. The use of X-rays has now been largely replaced by methods using MRI or CT scanners. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) can be performed with (contrast-enhanced) or without (noncontrast) injection of a magnetic resonance contrast agent (see contrast medium). Contrast-enhanced MRA will show the vessels better. These images can be reconstructed in two or three dimensions. Computerized tomographic angiography (CTA) uses a radiographic contrast agent, usually injected into a vein, to increase the visibility of the blood vessels. Fluorescein angiography is a common method of investigation in ophthalmology. *Fluorescein sodium is injected into a vein in the arm, from which it circulates throughout the body. Light of an appropriate wavelength is shone into the eye, causing the dye in the retinal blood vessels to fluoresce. This allows the circulation through the retinal blood vessels to be observed and photographed. Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography uses indocyanine green dye, which fluoresces in infrared light. It is valuable in assessing circulation in the deeper layers of the *fundus.... angiography

n. see lymphangiography.... lymphography