Abstract
During previous experimental work on laboratory animals 1 it was noted that in the intracardiac injection of thorotrast, some of the material being injected also into the pericardium, roentgenograms made 24 hours after injection showed visualized mediastinal and diaphragmatic lymph glands and vessels.
The distribution of the lymphatic vessels of the heart and pericardium and the routes followed by carbon and carmine particles from these structures have been reported by many workers since the first account of Rudbeck. It is generally agreed that there are 2 main lymphatic trunks which convey lymph from the heart and pericardium. These 2 trunks, formed by major collecting channels at the origin of the coronary vessels, are designated by Kampmeier 2 as the “right” and “left” trunks, while Shore 3 considers them as the “anterior” and “posterior” trunks. While variations occur, it is believed that the right trunk generally passes anterior to the ascending aorta to enter the anterior mediastinal gland, while the left trunk, passing upward between the pulmonary artery and the left atrium, drains into the tracheo-bronchial lymph glands.
In the experiments here reported, several laboratory animals were used. Previous to injection with thorotrast, control films were made of these animals to determine the presence of any abnormality which otherwise might prove confusing on films made after injection. An attempt was made to inject the thorotrast into the pericardial cavity only, and films made immediately after injection demonstrated the presence of the opaque material within the pericardial cavity, surrounding the cardiac shadow.
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