Lymphoscintigraphy in lymphedema: an aid to microsurgery

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · J. Nucl. Med.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5094641

Vaqueiro, M; Gloviczki, P; Fisher, J; Hollier, L H; Schirger, A; Wahner, H W

The role of lymphoscintigraphy, performed with /sup 99m/Tc-labeled antimony sulfur colloid, in the diagnosis of lymphedema and as a test for selection of patients for microvascular operation was evaluated in 32 patients with primary and secondary lymphedema and four patients with other causes of leg edema. Lymphoscintigraphy clearly demonstrated if edema was of lymphatic origin. Five different image patterns were identified; abnormal image patterns could not be predicted from clinical history or physical findings. Quantitative evaluation of removal of the radioactive colloid from the injection site and appearance in lymph node sites and liver was of limited usefulness. Nine patients underwent various surgical procedures before or after lymphoscintigraphy. Lympho-venous anastomoses were possible only in patients who had patent lymph channels visible on lymphoscintigrams. Based on initial experience, lymphoscintigraphy seems to be useful to select patients for microvascular operation.

• OSTI ID: 5094641
• Journal Information: J. Nucl. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Nucl. Med.; (United States) Vol. 7; ISSN JNMEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANTIMONY
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSTIC USES
DISEASES
EDEMA
ELEMENTS
HOURS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
MEDICINE
METALS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
SCINTISCANNING
SURGERY
SYMPTOMS
TECHNETIUM 99
TECHNETIUM ISOTOPES
USES
VASCULAR DISEASES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES