Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41520151›Full record

ArticleThe British journal of radiology2026

Indocyanine green lymphography imaging of normal lymphatic drainage in the lower limbs.

Mike Mills, Malou van Zanten, Greta Brezgyte, Bernard Ho, Julian Pearce, Stephanie Wilken-Smith, Manan Shelton, Peter Mortimer, Hiroo Suami, Kristiana Gordon and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The British journal of radiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Mike MillsSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-6316-4561
Malou van ZantenSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
Greta BrezgyteSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
Bernard HoSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
Julian PearceSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
Stephanie Wilken-SmithSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
Manan SheltonSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
Peter MortimerSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
Hiroo SuamiAustralian Lymphoedema Education, Research & Treatment (ALERT) Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, NSW 2109, Australia.
Kristiana GordonSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-7840-5644
Pia OstergaardSchool of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-2190-1356

Funding

BHF RG/17/7/33217BHF SP/J/24/285005BHF Research Training FS/RTF/24/30083MRC MR/P011543/1MRC MR/Y013786/1St George's Hospital Charity SPF24119
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesIndocyanine green lymphography (ICGL) has emerged as a potentially powerful tool for the study of the superficial lymphatic system and to support the diagnosis of lymphoedema. However, detailed descriptions of ICGL findings in healthy individuals are limited. In this study, we imaged a series of healthy participants using ICGL, attempting to establish quantitative and qualitative ICGL parameters of the lower limb.

methodsSixteen healthy individuals aged 20-55 years were recruited to undergo lower limb ICGL after 0.1 mL injections of 1 g/L ICG were administered intradermally to 5 locations around the foot. Outcome measures included: (1) the drainage routes of contractile lymphatic collectors observed, (2) the number of lymphatic vessels crossing the anterior ankle, and (3) the pumping frequency of lymphatic vessels. Abnormal features, such as highly tortuous or vessels with retrograde lymph flow, were noted.

resultsPropulsion of ICG containing lymph could be seen in all individuals, with drainage via the anteromedial and anterolateral drainage pathways predominating (observed in 31/32 and 25/32 limbs, respectively). The number of lymphatic vessels crossing the anterior ankle was 3.4 ± 1.1 with an average rate of 1 propulsion every 66 seconds in the vessels investigated. Isolated cases of highly tortuous and refluxing vessels were observed.

conclusionsAlthough limited by absorption and scatter of infrared light, ICGL facilitated the characterization of normal lower limb lymphatic vessels through a rigorous set of objective measures. This in turn will allow better identification of pathological changes. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Establishment of normal lower limb lymphatic anatomy and function.

Indexed as

Coloring AgentsIndocyanine GreenLower ExtremityLymphatic VesselsLymphographyAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedYoung AdultColoring AgentsIndocyanine Greenhealthy controlsindocyanine green lymphography (ICGL)lower limblymphatic systemnear-infrared fluorescence (NIRF)

Identifiers

PMID41520151
PMCPMC13017491

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.