Linfedema: actualización en el diagnóstico y tratamiento quirúrgico / Lymphedema: update in diagnosis and surgical treatment

El linfedema es la acumulación de fluido rico en proteínas en el intersticio, secundario a anomalías en el sistema de transporte linfático. En países desarrollados se relaciona más frecuentemente al tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer. El diagnóstico clínico y a través de técnicas de imágenes es fundamental para evaluar el estado funcional del sistema linfático. Los objetivos principales en el manejo del linfedema son limitar la morbilidad del paciente, mejorar la funcionalidad y la calidad de vida. El tratamiento quirúrgico es una alternativa cuando las medidas conservadoras ya no son suficientes. Existen procedimientos que buscan prevenir el desarrollo del linfedema y técnicas que incluye procedimientos fisiológicos (reconstructivos) y resectivos que se utilizan cuando el linfedema ya está establecido. El éxito depende de una buena elección de los pacientes y la realización de un tratamiento individualizado. A continuación se presenta una revisión en cuanto a las últimas estrategias diagnósticas y actualización en las técnicas quirúrgicas con énfasis en el tratamiento microquirúrgico.

Lymphedema is the accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitium, secondary to abnormalities in the lymphatic transport system. In developed countries it is more often related to surgical treatment of cancer. The clinical diagnosis and through imaging techniques is fundamental to evaluate the functional status of the lymphatic system. The main objectives in managing lymphedema are to limit patient morbidity, improve functionality and quality of life. Surgical treatment is an option when conservative measures are no longer sufficient. There are procedures that seek to prevent the development of lymphedema, and techniques that include physiological (reconstructive) and resective procedures that are used when lymphedema is already established. Success depends on a good selection of patients and the completion of an individualized treatment. The following is a review article of the latest diagnostic strategies and update in surgical techniques with emphasis on microsurgical treatment.

Liquid silicone used for esthetic purposes as a potentiator for occurrence of post-radiotherapy genital lymphedema: case report / Silicone líquido utilizado com finalidade estética como potencializador da ocorrência de linfedema genital pós-radioterapia: relato de caso

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Lymphedema consists of extracellular fluid retention caused by lymphatic obstruction. In chronic forms, fat and fibrous tissue accumulation is observed. Genital lymphedema is a rare condition in developed countries and may have primary or acquired etiology. It generally leads to urinary, sexual and social impairment. Clinical treatment usually has low effectiveness, and surgical resection is frequently indicated. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a male-to-female transgender patient who was referred for treatment of chronic genital lymphedema. She had a history of pelvic radiotherapy to treat anal cancer and of liquid silicone injections to the buttock and thigh regions for esthetic purposes. Radiological examinations showed signs both of tissue infiltration by liquid silicone and of granulomas, lymphadenopathy and lymphedema. Surgical treatment was performed on the area affected, in which lymphedematous tissue was excised from the scrotum while preserving the penis and testicles, with satisfactory results. Histopathological examination showed alterations compatible with tissue infiltration by exogenous material, along with chronic lymphedema. CONCLUSION: Genital lymphedema may be caused by an association of lesions due to liquid silicone injections and radiotherapy in the pelvic region. Cancer treatment decisions for patients who previously underwent liquid silicone injection should take this information into account, since it may represent a risk factor for radiotherapy complications.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: O linfedema consiste de retenção de fluido extracelular causada por obstrução linfática. Nas formas crônicas, observa-se acúmulo de tecido adiposo e fibrose. O linfedema genital é uma doença rara em países desenvolvidos e pode ter etiologia primária ou adquirida, em geral cursando com disfunções urinária e sexual, bem como com prejuízo do convívio social. O tratamento clínico é, em geral, pouco efetivo, indicando-se com frequência a abordagem cirúrgica, com excisão da área afetada. RELATO DE CASO: Relata-se o caso de paciente feminina transgênero, encaminhada para tratamento de linfedema genital crônico. Havia antecedente pessoal de tratamento de câncer de canal anal com radioterapia pélvica e de injeções de silicone líquido em glúteos e coxas com finalidade estética. Exames radiológicos mostraram tanto sinais de infiltração tecidual por silicone líquido como granulomas e linfadenopatia como de linfedema. Foi realizado o tratamento cirúrgico da área afetada, com excisão do tecido linfadenomatoso do escroto, preservando o pênis e testículos, com resultado satisfatório. A análise histopatológica mostrou achados compatíveis com infiltração tecidual por material exógeno, bem como com linfedema crônico. CONCLUSÃO: O linfedema genital pode ser causado pela associação de lesão por injeção de silicone líquido e radioterapia na região pélvica. As decisões no tratamento de neoplasias em pacientes previamente submetidos a injeção de silicone líquido devem levar em conta esse fato, já que pode representar fator de risco para complicações de tratamento radioterápico.

Porokeratosis simulating Bowen's disease on dermoscopy

Abstract Porokeratosis is a disorder of epidermal keratinization characterized by the presence of annular hyperkeratotic plaques. Its etiopathogenesis is not yet fully understood, but a relationship with immunosuppression has been reported. Dermoscopic examination revealed a classic yellowish-white ring-like structure that resembled “volcanic crater contour” – the so-called cornoid lamella. We describe a case of porokeratosis in a female patient with chronic lymphedema, which was similar to Bowen’s disease due to the many glomerular vessels seen on clinical examination and dermoscopy.

role of MR imaging in the diagnosis of swollen lower extremities

In this study, MR imaging of swollen extremity was performed on 20 patients using T1 and T2-weighted spin-echo and short inversion time inversion recovery sequences. Thickness and signal intensity of the cutis, subcutis and subfascia were evaluated in the images. In all cases with lymphatic edema, trabecular structures suggesting dilated collateral lymphatic vessels were observed in the swollen subcutis. Regarding the non-lymphatic patients, one case of nephrotic syndrome showed similar findings. In four cases with venous edema, fatty intensity was found in the subfascia. In the remaining three cases, the subcutis exhibited only water intensity