Lymph Node Suppression with Simultaneous Vascular Suppression on Ferumoxytol-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Neurography

Motivation: Ferumoxytol provides vascular suppression in magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), but its effectiveness for lymph node suppression in MRN has not been quantified. Goal(s): To determine the optimal time and extent of lymph suppression achievable with a low-dose Ferumoxytol infusion for MRN. Approach: Two healthy subjects were imaged over a 50-hour post-infusion interval to determine the optimal time for MRN. Eight subjects were imaged to quantify lymph node suppression at the optimal time. Results: Immediately post-infusion (<1 hour), no significant differences were observed between nerve-to-muscle and lymph node-to-muscle contrast ratios. However, at the optimal 15 hours post-infusion, lymph node-to-muscle contrast ratios were significantly reduced. Impact: Low-dose Ferumoxytol provides significant lymph node suppression and simultaneous vascular suppression in brachial plexus magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) 15 hours post-infusion. Lymph suppression may enable 3D rendering to improve nerve visualization in diagnostic and surgical planning applications.