Lymphoscintigraphy in lymphedema of the lower limbs using 99mTc HSA.

Edema of the lower limbs is a difficult clinical problem. Edema could be due to stasis, obstruction of the lymphatic channels, or increased production of lymph beyond the drainage capacity of the lymphatic vessels. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate among these varieties. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 164 patients complaining of swelling of the lower limbs, 2 women patients with lymphedema of the upper limbs following radical mastectomy, and 5 volunteers. All patients were injected with 1 mCi of 99mTc human serum albumin intradermally in the medial web on the dorsum of each foot. Data were acquired dynamically for both inguinal regions for forty-five minutes with a gamma camera interfaced with a computer. Static images were taken at ninety minutes for both legs and thighs and for the pelvis. Time activity curves were generated for the equal regions of inguinal nodes on both inguinal sides. The following patterns were recognized: normal pattern in 5 volunteers and in 57 patients, enhanced flow pattern in 17 patients, stasis with mild obstruction in 72 patients, and marked stasis with obstruction in 20 patients.

Tc-99m human serum albumin lymphoscintigraphy in lymphedema of the lower extremities.

Edema of the lower extremities is a difficult clinical problem. It can be due to stasis, obstruction of the lymphatic channels, increased production of lymph beyond the drainage capacity of the lymphatic vessels. It is often difficult to differentiate between these varieties. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed on 164 patients complaining of swelling of the lower extremities and on 5 volunteers. All patients were injected with 1 mCi of Tc-99m human serum albumin (HSA) intradermally in the medial web of the dorsum of each foot. Data were acquired dynamically for both inguinal regions for 45 minutes, and static images of the legs, thighs, and pelvis were taken at 90 minutes. Time activity curves were generated for the equal regions of inguinal nodes on both inguinal sides. The following patterns were recognized: normal (5 volunteers and 57 patients), enhanced (17 patients), stasis with mild obstruction (70 patients), and marked stasis with obstruction (20 patients).

Incisional hernia through iliac crest defects. A report of three cases with a review of the literature.

Although the iliac crest is the most common site from which autogenous bone grafts are obtained, complications are surprisingly rare. One of these is incisional hernia through the resulting bony defect. Occasionally, the herniated contents may proceed to obstruction or strangulation and require emergency surgery. Elective repair of such hernias is advisable in order to avoid such complications. Attention to primary closure of bony iliac defects when complete is mandatory to prevent the occurrence of incisional hernia.

Dynamic lymph flow imaging in lymphedema. Normal and abnormal patterns.

Dynamic imaging of lymphatic flow was performed in 23 patients complaining of lymphedema of the lower extremities. All were injected intradermally with 1 mCi of Tc-99m human serum albumin (HSA) in the medial web on the dorsum of both feet. Image acquisition for the lower pelvis and both thighs was started within 5 minutes. An extra-large field-of-view gamma camera (General Electric 500A) with a low-energy, all-purpose collimator interfaced to a General Electric Star computer was used. Images were acquired in dynamic-byte mode, 128 X 128 matrix size, every one minute up to 40 minutes. Delayed images for the same region and for both legs were taken at 90 minutes. Time-activity curves from equal regions of interest over the inguinal regions on both sides were generated. Three patterns were recognized. Normal flow (12 patients) with symmetric or slightly increased or decreased flow on one side than the other and characterized by early appearance of medial bands, inguinal and pelvic lymph nodes in the early and the delayed images. Time-activity curves showed a stepladder rise in pulses every 3 to 4 minutes. Enhanced pattern (six patients), characterized by fast flow of lymph through the dilated lymphatics, and occasionally by subcutaneous pooling and increase in the number and size of inguinal and pelvic lymph nodes on the affected side.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The relationship between subcutaneous tissue pressures and intramuscular pressures in normal and edematous legs.

The interstitial hydrostatic pressure is affecting fluid movements at microvascular level. A disturbance in the Starling equilibrium results in edema formation. The effect of venous outflow and lymphatic obstructions in human, on the interstitial fluid pressures subcutaneously and intramuscularly and the possible interaction between veins and lymphatics was studied. Utilizing a slit-catheter technique, subcutaneous tissue and intramuscular pressures were measured bilaterally in 10 patients with venous outflow obstruction and in 10 patients with lymphatic obstruction. In lymphatic obstruction the subcutaneous tissue pressure was significantly elevated as well as the intramuscular pressure, while in venous obstruction the subcutaneous tissue pressure was normal. The intramuscular pressure was significantly elevated during exercise reaching 60 mm Hg or more, combined with severe pain. Pain did not occur in patients with lymphatic obstruction. This study suggests that in lymphatic obstruction there is also an involvement of either deep lymphatics, venous dysfunction or a combination of both. Intramuscular pressures do not reach the critical level for pain during exercise. In venous obstruction mainly the intramuscular compartment is involved and interstitial pressure reaches values well above 60 mm Hg during exercise, at which level pain occurs, possibly due to tension of painreceptors in the muscle fascias.

Primary lymphedema of the leg: relationship between subcutaneous tissue pressure, intramuscular pressure and venous function.

In eight patients with unilateral primary lymphedema, subcutaneous tissue and intramuscular pressure were measured in both legs using the slit-catheter technique. Venous function was assessed by venography, or Doppler or photoplethysmography. Both at rest and during exercise, subcutaneous tissue pressure was elevated in the lymphedematous leg (17.9 +/- 7.6 and 33.0 +/- 10.8 mmHg respectively) compared to healthy contralateral leg (0.4 +/- 2.6 and -0.6 +/- 3.6 mmHg; p less than 0.001). The intramuscular pressure in the anterior tibial compartment was also increased at rest and during exercise in the edematous leg (24.9 +/- 4.4 mmHg and 43.6 +/- 11.2 mmHg respectively) compared to control leg (9.6 +/- 5.6 and 25.8 +/- 10.00 mmHg). These findings suggest that derangements in both the superficial and deep lymphatic systems as well as venous dysfunction contribute to the clinical appearance of "primary lymphedema."