J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  1998 Jun;22(3):698-704.

Improvement of Lymphatic Function after Complex Physical Therapy Change of Lymphoscintigraphy

• Hwang JH
• Lee KW
• Kwon JY
• Kim BT
• Choi JY
• Lee BB
• Kim DI

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Lymphoscintigraphy is the diagnostic test of choice in patients with suspected lymphedema. This reveals functional information rather than anatomic details. We evaluated the improvement of lymphatic function after complex physical therapy(CPT) in patients with lymphedema via lymphoscintigraphic follow-up examination. METHOD: In 19 lymphedema patients(22 extremities) regardless of etiology, lymphoscintigraphy using Tc-99m antimony sulfide colloid was performed before and 3-month after CPT. Main lymphoscintigraphic findings of lymphedema and lymphoscintigraphic changes after CPT were evaluated.
RESULTS
Main lymphoscintigraphic findings of lymphedema were the presence of dermal backflow(100%) and collateral vessels(68.2%), non-visualized or barely visualized lymph nodes (95.5%), and non-visualized or barely visualized lymphatic vessels(27.3%). The findings of lymphoscintigraphy suggesting improvement of lymphatic function after CPT were decreased dermal backflow(72.7%), increased radioisotope uptake of lymph nodes(9.1%) and increased radioisotope uptake of lymphatic vessels(27.3%). Increased dermal backflow itself with decreased total tissue pressure after CPT was not the finding implying deterioration of lymphatic function. There was no constant correlation between clinical improvement and lymphoscintigraphic improvement.
CONCLUSION
The lymphoscintigraphic follow-up examination combined with volumetry is useful in assessing the improvement of lymphatic function in lymphedema.

Keyword

Lymphedema; Lymphoscintigraphy; Complex physical therapy

MeSH Terms

Antimony
Colloids
Diagnostic Tests, Routine
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lymph Nodes
Lymphedema
Lymphoscintigraphy*
Antimony
Colloids