Real-Time Visualization of the Mascagni-Sappey Pathway Utilizing ICG Lymphography

Background: Anatomic variations in lymphatic drainage pathways of the upper arm may have an important role in the pathophysiology of lymphedema development. The Mascagni–Sappey (M–S) pathway, initially described in 1787 by Mascagni and then again in 1874 by Sappey, is a lymphatic drainage pathway of...

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Main Authors: Anna Rose Johnson, Melisa D. Granoff, Hiroo Suami, Bernard T. Lee, Dhruv Singhal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-05-01
Series:Cancers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/12/5/1195
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author Anna Rose Johnson
Melisa D. Granoff
Hiroo Suami
Bernard T. Lee
Dhruv Singhal
author_facet Anna Rose Johnson
Melisa D. Granoff
Hiroo Suami
Bernard T. Lee
Dhruv Singhal
author_sort Anna Rose Johnson
collection DOAJ
description Background: Anatomic variations in lymphatic drainage pathways of the upper arm may have an important role in the pathophysiology of lymphedema development. The Mascagni–Sappey (M–S) pathway, initially described in 1787 by Mascagni and then again in 1874 by Sappey, is a lymphatic drainage pathway of the upper arm that normally bypasses the axilla. Utilizing modern lymphatic imaging modalities, there is an opportunity to better visualize this pathway and its potential clinical implications. Methods: A retrospective review of preoperative indocyanine green (ICG) lymphangiograms of consecutive node-positive breast cancer patients undergoing nodal resection was performed. Lymphography targeted the M-S pathway with an ICG injection over the cephalic vein in the lateral upper arm. Results: In our experience, the M-S pathway was not visualized in 22% (<i>n</i> = 5) of patients. In the 78% (<i>n</i> = 18) of patients where the pathway was visualized, the most frequent anatomic destination of the channel was the deltopectoral groove in 83% of patients and the axilla in the remaining 17%. Conclusion: Our study supports that ICG injections over the cephalic vein reliably visualizes the M-S pathway when present. Further study to characterize this pathway may help elucidate its potential role in the prevention or development of upper extremity lymphedema.
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spelling doaj.art-dea45e76f40d43e9af07a032efb3e29b2023-11-19T23:50:12ZengMDPI AGCancers2072-66942020-05-01125119510.3390/cancers12051195Real-Time Visualization of the Mascagni-Sappey Pathway Utilizing ICG LymphographyAnna Rose Johnson0Melisa D. Granoff1Hiroo Suami2Bernard T. Lee3Dhruv Singhal4Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USADivision of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USAFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, NSW, AustraliaDivision of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USADivision of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USABackground: Anatomic variations in lymphatic drainage pathways of the upper arm may have an important role in the pathophysiology of lymphedema development. The Mascagni–Sappey (M–S) pathway, initially described in 1787 by Mascagni and then again in 1874 by Sappey, is a lymphatic drainage pathway of the upper arm that normally bypasses the axilla. Utilizing modern lymphatic imaging modalities, there is an opportunity to better visualize this pathway and its potential clinical implications. Methods: A retrospective review of preoperative indocyanine green (ICG) lymphangiograms of consecutive node-positive breast cancer patients undergoing nodal resection was performed. Lymphography targeted the M-S pathway with an ICG injection over the cephalic vein in the lateral upper arm. Results: In our experience, the M-S pathway was not visualized in 22% (<i>n</i> = 5) of patients. In the 78% (<i>n</i> = 18) of patients where the pathway was visualized, the most frequent anatomic destination of the channel was the deltopectoral groove in 83% of patients and the axilla in the remaining 17%. Conclusion: Our study supports that ICG injections over the cephalic vein reliably visualizes the M-S pathway when present. Further study to characterize this pathway may help elucidate its potential role in the prevention or development of upper extremity lymphedema.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/12/5/1195M-S pathwaylymphatic anatomyBCRL
spellingShingle Anna Rose Johnson
Melisa D. Granoff
Hiroo Suami
Bernard T. Lee
Dhruv Singhal
Real-Time Visualization of the Mascagni-Sappey Pathway Utilizing ICG Lymphography
Cancers
M-S pathway
lymphatic anatomy
BCRL
title Real-Time Visualization of the Mascagni-Sappey Pathway Utilizing ICG Lymphography
title_full Real-Time Visualization of the Mascagni-Sappey Pathway Utilizing ICG Lymphography
title_fullStr Real-Time Visualization of the Mascagni-Sappey Pathway Utilizing ICG Lymphography
title_full_unstemmed Real-Time Visualization of the Mascagni-Sappey Pathway Utilizing ICG Lymphography
title_short Real-Time Visualization of the Mascagni-Sappey Pathway Utilizing ICG Lymphography
title_sort real time visualization of the mascagni sappey pathway utilizing icg lymphography
topic M-S pathway
lymphatic anatomy
BCRL
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/12/5/1195
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