Noninvasive evaluation of the swollen extremity: Experiences with 190 lymphoscintigraphic examinations

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · J. Vasc. Surg.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0741-5214(89)70040-9· OSTI ID:5767031

Gloviczki, P; Calcagno, D; Schirger, A; Pairolero, P C; Cherry, K J; Hallett, J W; Wahner, H W

Lymphoscintigraphy (LS), performed with technetium 99m-labeled antimony trisulfide colloid, was used as a noninvasive diagnostic examination to evaluate the lymphatic circulation in 190 extremities of 115 patients. Forty-six patients had primary lymphedema, 48 had secondary lymphedema, and 21 patients had other causes of limb swelling. To determine the value of LS in surgical decision making, preoperative and postoperative LS of 16 patients who underwent surgical repair of the lymphatic abnormality were studied separately. Semiquantitative evaluation of the lymphatic drainage and visual interpretation of the image patterns were reliable to differentiate lymphedema from edemas of other origin (sensitivity: 92%, specificity: 100%). Although certain image patterns were characteristic of either primary or secondary lymphedema, LS could not consistently differentiate between the two types. Episodes of cellulitis in lymphedema clearly delayed lymph transport. LS was helpful in patient selection and follow-up after lymphatic surgery, but it did not prove patency of lymphovenous anastomoses. It was diagnostic in the evaluation of lymphangiectasia and was used to document successful surgical treatment of reflux of chyle. LS is safe and reliable and has no side effects. It should replace contrast lymphangiography in the routine evaluation of the swollen extremity.

• Research Organization: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5767031
• Journal Information: J. Vasc. Surg.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Vasc. Surg.; (United States) Vol. 9:5; ISSN JVSUE
• 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
BODY
BODY AREAS
COLLOIDS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
EDEMA
ELEMENTS
HEMIC DISEASES
HOURS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOMERIC NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LIMBS
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
METALS
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
SCINTISCANNING
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
SYMPTOMS
TECHNETIUM 99
TECHNETIUM ISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES