Lymph node identification using contrast enhanced ultrasound
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising the identification of primary draining lymph nodes using contrast enhanced ultrasound (microbubbles)
IRAS ID
323142
Contact name
James Fullerton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
The lymph node (LN) is a key site for the coordination of the body's immune response. Understanding the processes that occur in LNs may help to identify new ways of enhancing immune response to prevent diseases (e.g. vaccination), or to treat conditions caused by malfunctioning of the immune system (autoimmune disease).
Sampling of cells from the LN, using a small needle, is routinely performed to diagnose disease in patients. The procedure—-fine needle aspiration (FNA)-—is safe and well-tolerated.
Studies have demonstrated that FNA can also be successfully performed in healthy volunteers for research. However, where no disease has caused a change in the LN’s size or shape, it is difficult to identify the best LN to sample. If the wrong one is targeted, it can lead to misleading results.
This study aims to develop a better method for targeting LNs which drain specific areas of the body (e.g. sites where vaccines are administered), using a technique called contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). CEUS employs commercial preparations of ‘microbubbles’: tiny particles of inert gas surrounded by a lipid ‘shell’, which shine brightly under an ultrasound beam.In this study we will administer a commercial product, called Sonazoid (GE Healthcare) to healthy volunteers, at sites where vaccines are typically administered (upper and lower arms, and upper thigh). We will track, using ultrasound, the movement of these microbubbles. We expect the microbubbles will drain from the site of administration to nearby LNs, and that we will be able to clearly see the LNs on ultrasound. The key question is whether one or more LNs can clearly be identified via this method. The results of this study will help us to determine whether CEUS is useful for identifying LNs of interest, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of future research.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0086
Date of REC Opinion
24 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion