Magnetic sentinel lymph node biopsy in a murine tumour model

A murine derived tumour model was established within the right hind limb of 24 mice, which then underwent an injection of magnetic tracer (5 μL) intra-tumourally in the right limb and subcutaneously in the left foot (A). This was followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of magnetic tracer uptake of draining lymph nodes (popliteal and inguinal) bilaterally at varying times up to 24 h after injection of the magnetic tracer (B). Consequent surgical dissection of iron-stained lymph nodes was performed (C). Excised lymph nodes demonstrated iron staining in the subcapsular space (D) and uptake by macrophages (E).204