HISTOLOGICAL-FINDINGS IN RABBIT LYMPH-NODES AFTER ENDOLYMPHATIC INJECTION OF LIPOSOMES CONTAINING BLUE-DYE

Liposomes produced from phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol and containing Patent Blue V have been injected endolymphatically in the rabbit. The lymph nodes stained dark blue and retained this colour until termination of the experiment after 28 days. No toxic effects were observed histologically. The liposomes were deposited within the macrophages in a fine granular pattern. Because endolymphatic injection of such liposomes produces excellent contrast between retroperitoneal lymph nodes and their surrounding fatty tissue, it can improve both the radicality and the selectivity of lymphonodectomy in oncological surgery.