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

Journal Article · Mon May 01 00:00:00 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), Vol. 9:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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