Histopathology of Lymph Nodes after Lymphangiography

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Abstract
Lymph nodes from 67 patients were studied at various time intervals after lymphangiography. As a control, lymph nodes obtained under similar circumstances from 14 patients who did not have lymphangiography were also examined. Typically in postlymphangiographic nodes there is an initial acute reaction, followed in approximately 4 days by a chronic type of response. The acute reaction consists of polymorphonuclear neutrophils which may be accompanied by varying numbers of eosinophils. Plasma cells are usually present, even as early as the first day, but in relatively small numbers. The chronic reaction consists of foreign-body giant cells which surround the droplets of contrast media, usually accompanied by a more intense plasma cell infiltration. Eventually most of the lipid seems to be resorbed, and the giant-cell reaction becomes quiescent and disappears without fibrosis. These patterns are not of uniform intensity in every patient or even in all nodes from the same patient. This is especially true of the acute reaction pattern, which varies considerably for both intensity and distribution of its components. Comparison with similar nodes from patients without previous lymphangiography demonstrates that the acute type of reaction can be seen in some patients without angiography and, therefore, is not specific; however, one can usually distinguish the changes of recent lymphangiography from the residua of a more remote study. In addition, when no history or other information is available, these alterations may suggest that lymphangiography has been performed.

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