Fig. 4: 3D triple-modal mapping of lymphatics in a live rat. | Nature Communications

Fig. 4: 3D triple-modal mapping of lymphatics in a live rat.

From: Clinical ultrasound, photoacoustic, and fluorescence image-guided lymphovenous anastomosis microsurgery via a transparent ultrasound transducer array

Fig. 4

Simultaneous ultrasound (US)/photoacoustic (PA)/fluorescence (FL) imaging was performed via mosaic 3D motorized scanning over the right axillary region of an anesthetized rat a before and b after indocyanine green (ICG) injection. c Maximum amplitude projection (MAP) of PA volume visualizing the vascular network across the sagittal plane, c1 before and c2 after the ICG injection. The path of the overlaid unmixed ICG contrast (in green) in (c2) visualizes the axillary lymphatics, featuring a continuous connection from peripheral lymphatic vessels (LV) to the axillary sentinel lymph node (aSLN). d Coregistered PA/US 3D volume over the axillary region (Supplementary Movie 1). LV and superficial veins are identified underneath the dermal layer (DL). e Overlaid PA/US B-mode images e1 before and e2 after the ICG injection. Detailed musculoskeletal structures and organ anatomy are distinguishable from USI, while PAI demonstrates branching blood/lymphatic vessel distribution. f Mosaic-synthesized FLI via the TUT optical window f1 before and f2 after ICG injection. g Quantified PA and FL signal enhancement with ICG injection (mean ± standard error, n = 3, independent experiments). PM pectoral muscle, RH right humerus, BiB biceps brachii, RC rib cage, L liver. Scale bar = 1 cm. All values are expressed in a.u., which denotes arbitrary units.

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