Ann Dermatol.  1997 Apr;9(2):126-131. 10.5021/ad.1997.9.2.126.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Lymphedema

• Yeo UC
• Kim WS
• Chun HS
• Lee ES
• Lee BB
• Kim DI
• Hwang JH

• KMID: 2360401
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.1997.9.2.126

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Lymphedma occurs when tissue swelling develops through a failure of lymph drainage in the face of a normal capillary filtration. Little is known about water behavior in lymphedma.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to investigate, by means of ultrasound, the distribution of intradermal fluid in patients with lymphedema in response to 2 weeks physical therapy.
METHODS
Ten patients with lymphedema were treated by 2 weeks' physical therapy. Before and after 2 weeks' treatment, circumference and ultrasonographic evaluation was done. Ultrasound images were obtained with a 20 MHz scanner. The echogenicity of the dermis and the skin thickness were quantified by in-built image analyzer.
RESULTS
Low echogenic pixels showed the most noticeable and consistent change after 2 weeks' physical therapy.
CONCLUSION
Ultrasonographic evaluation could be a useful tool in evaluating lymphedema.

Keyword

Lymphedema; Ultrasonography

MeSH Terms

Capillaries
Dermis
Drainage
Filtration
Humans
Lymphedema*
Skin
Ultrasonography
Water
Water