Objective To explore the feasibility of MR lymphography (MR-LG) in detecting internal mammary sentinel lymph node (SLN) for rabbit models of VX2 breast cancer.Methods Totally 75 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups to establish VX2 breast cancer (tumor group) and inflammation models (inflammation group),respectively.MR-LG examinations and lymph node dissection were performed in all the rabbits.The results of internal mammary SLN and lymphatic vessels mapping were recorded,and the influence factors were analyzed.Results The success rate of model establishment was 97.33％ (73/75).The detection rate of internal mammary SLN and lymphatic vessels was 15.94％ (11/69) and 75.36％ (52/69),respectively,there was no statistical difference between the two groups (both P＞0.05).The rabbit's weight,time of tumor growth,tumor size,number,size and status of axillary SLN,as well as presence or not of internal mammary lymph vessels detection showed no statistical difference between detection and non-detection of internal mammary SLN (all P＞0.05),while the tumor size and axillary lymph node number showed statistically significant differences between detection and not detection of internal lymphatic vessels (both P＜0.05).The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,false negative and false positive rate of internal mammary SLN detection with MR-LG was 76.81％ (53/69),39.13％(9/23),95.65％(44/46),60.86％(14/23) and 4.35％(2/46),respectively.Conclusion MR-LG can effectively detect internal mammary SLN and lymphatic vessels for rabbit models of VX2 breast cancer.