F. Khorshidi, B. Majdalany, G. Peters, A. Tran, J. Shaikh, R. Liddell, J. C. Perez Lozada, N. Kokabi, N. Nezami
Lymphoceles are lymphatic fluid collections resulting from lymphatic vessel disruption after surgery or trauma. They are most often described following retroperitoneal surgeries such as cystectomies, prostatectomies, renal transplants, and gynecologic surgeries. Most lymphoceles are asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously without treatment. If persistent, they can become infected or exert mass effect on adjacent structures causing pain, urinary, or lower limb edema particularly for lymphoceles in the pelvis Symptomatic lymphoceles should be treated to relieve symptoms and prevent functional compromise of vital adjacent structures. Although surgery has been traditionally accepted as the gold standard treatment, advances in imaging and interventional technology allow for less invasive, percutaneous treatment. Available minimally invasive treatment options include percutaneous aspiration, catheter drainage, sclerotherapy, and lymphangiography with lymphatic embolization. A review of these treatment options and a suggested algorithm for managing lymphoceles is presented.
{"title":"Minimally invasive treatment of abdominal lymphocele: A review of contemporary options and how to approach them.","authors":"F. Khorshidi, B. Majdalany, G. Peters, A. Tran, J. Shaikh, R. Liddell, J. C. Perez Lozada, N. Kokabi, N. Nezami","doi":"10.2458/lymph.4727","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2458/lymph.4727","url":null,"abstract":"Lymphoceles are lymphatic fluid collections resulting from lymphatic vessel disruption after surgery or trauma. They are most often described following retroperitoneal surgeries such as cystectomies, prostatectomies, renal transplants, and gynecologic surgeries. Most lymphoceles are asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously without treatment. If persistent, they can become infected or exert mass effect on adjacent structures causing pain, urinary, or lower limb edema particularly for lymphoceles in the pelvis Symptomatic lymphoceles should be treated to relieve symptoms and prevent functional compromise of vital adjacent structures. Although surgery has been traditionally accepted as the gold standard treatment, advances in imaging and interventional technology allow for less invasive, percutaneous treatment. Available minimally invasive treatment options include percutaneous aspiration, catheter drainage, sclerotherapy, and lymphangiography with lymphatic embolization. A review of these treatment options and a suggested algorithm for managing lymphoceles is presented.","PeriodicalId":51122,"journal":{"name":"Lymphology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2021-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45339100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Microcystic lymphatic malformations as described in the international literature form a subgroup of low-flow congenital vascular malformations (VM) resulting from irregular embryological development. Microcystic lesions normally manifest as an accumulation of lymph- and blood-filled vesicles that, when externalized, cause skin maceration with consequent pain and potential infection resulting in the impairment of the patient's quality of life. There is no consensus on a standardized algorithm nor clear guidelines for successful treatment of this type of lymphatic malformation, and treatment options employed often result in ambivalent and transient outcomes with a high rate of recurrence. The topical formulation of tacrolimus is a well-known FDAapproved anti-T cell agent that was recently identified as a potent activator of ALK1, which is involved in several processes and functions including angiogenesis. We investigated if topical administration of tacrolimus may be an effective therapy for directly targeting cutaneous microcystic lymphatic malformations as a complement to systemic treatment. The study enrolled four patients with cutaneous microcystic lymphatic malformations: three male (ages: 13,15,18) and one female (age: 30). Two of the patients presented lesions on their backs, one patient on the left hand and one on the left lower limb. All four patients received treatment with topical tacrolimus 0.1% twice a day for 10 weeks on a previously selected area for application. Weekly clinical follow-ups were conducted along with close physician-patient contact. All patients displayed a satisfactory response after treatment. Lymphorrhea and bleeding were stopped in all cases and the esthetic aspect of lesions improved in two patients. To date, all patients presented no clinically significant changes to the size or extension of the lesion. Topical tacrolimus treatment is a promising and reasonable option for microcystic lymphatic malformations. Our results encourage further exploration in larger populations with the consideration that it is a safe and effective alternative or complementary therapy to systemic treatment.
{"title":"Topical Tacrolimus 0.1% for treatment of cutaneous microcystic lymphatic malformations.","authors":"S. Salvia, M. Amore, C. Papendieck","doi":"10.2458/lymph.4731","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2458/lymph.4731","url":null,"abstract":"Microcystic lymphatic malformations as described in the international literature form a subgroup of low-flow congenital vascular malformations (VM) resulting from irregular embryological development. Microcystic lesions normally manifest as an accumulation of lymph- and blood-filled vesicles that, when externalized, cause skin maceration with consequent pain and potential infection resulting in the impairment of the patient's quality of life. There is no consensus on a standardized algorithm nor clear guidelines for successful treatment of this type of lymphatic malformation, and treatment options employed often result in ambivalent and transient outcomes with a high rate of recurrence. The topical formulation of tacrolimus is a well-known FDAapproved anti-T cell agent that was recently identified as a potent activator of ALK1, which is involved in several processes and functions including angiogenesis. We investigated if topical administration of tacrolimus may be an effective therapy for directly targeting cutaneous microcystic lymphatic malformations as a complement to systemic treatment. The study enrolled four patients with cutaneous microcystic lymphatic malformations: three male (ages: 13,15,18) and one female (age: 30). Two of the patients presented lesions on their backs, one patient on the left hand and one on the left lower limb. All four patients received treatment with topical tacrolimus 0.1% twice a day for 10 weeks on a previously selected area for application. Weekly clinical follow-ups were conducted along with close physician-patient contact. All patients displayed a satisfactory response after treatment. Lymphorrhea and bleeding were stopped in all cases and the esthetic aspect of lesions improved in two patients. To date, all patients presented no clinically significant changes to the size or extension of the lesion. Topical tacrolimus treatment is a promising and reasonable option for microcystic lymphatic malformations. Our results encourage further exploration in larger populations with the consideration that it is a safe and effective alternative or complementary therapy to systemic treatment.","PeriodicalId":51122,"journal":{"name":"Lymphology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2021-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49096613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. Cox, C. Vance, S. Daley, C. Papendieck, H. McGregor, P. Kuo, M. Witte
To determine the historical use and utility of various lymphatic imaging modalities in Noonan syndrome (NS) patients, we performed a comprehensive literature review by collecting the published medical imaging of NS lymphatic dysplasias. We correlated imaging findings with clinical phenotypes and treatment. Our analysis of lymphatic imaging modalities provides an algorithmic approach to imaging and patient care across the spectrum of NS developmental defects. A total of 54 NS cases have been published since 1975. Using the observations reported in 15 reviewed publications, an association was made between disruptions in central lymphatic flow and poor clinical presentations/outcomes in NS patients.
{"title":"Imaging of lymphatic dysplasia in Noonan syndrome: Case studies and historical atlas.","authors":"T. Cox, C. Vance, S. Daley, C. Papendieck, H. McGregor, P. Kuo, M. Witte","doi":"10.2458/lymph.4679","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2458/lymph.4679","url":null,"abstract":"To determine the historical use and utility of various lymphatic imaging modalities in Noonan syndrome (NS) patients, we performed a comprehensive literature review by collecting the published medical imaging of NS lymphatic dysplasias. We correlated imaging findings with clinical phenotypes and treatment. Our analysis of lymphatic imaging modalities provides an algorithmic approach to imaging and patient care across the spectrum of NS developmental defects. A total of 54 NS cases have been published since 1975. Using the observations reported in 15 reviewed publications, an association was made between disruptions in central lymphatic flow and poor clinical presentations/outcomes in NS patients.","PeriodicalId":51122,"journal":{"name":"Lymphology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2021-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49128894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. Gillespie, S. Roberts, C. Brunelle, L. Bucci, M. Bernstein, K. Daniell, G. N. Naoum, C. Miller, A. Taghian
Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) affects more than one in five women treated for breast cancer, and women remain at lifelong risk. Screening for BCRL is recommended by several national and international organizations for women at risk of BCRL, and multiple methods of objective screening measurement exist. The goal of this study was to compare the use of perometry and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) for early identification of BCRL in a cohort of 138 prospectivelyscreened patients. At each screening visit, a patient's relative volume change (RVC) from perometer measurements and change in L-Dex from baseline (ΔL-Dex) using BIS was calculated. There was a negligible correlation between RVC and ΔL-Dex (r=0.195). Multiple thresholds of BCRL were examined: RVC ≥5% and ≥10% as well as and ΔL-Dex ≥6.5 and ≥10. While some patients developed an elevated RVC and ΔL-Dex, many demonstrated elevations in only one threshold category. Moreover, the majority of patients with RVC ≥5%, ΔL-Dex ≥6.5, or ΔL-Dex ≥10 regressed to non-elevated measurements without intervention. These findings suggest a role for combining multiple screening methods for early identification of BCRL; furthermore, BCRL diagnosis must incorporate patient symptoms and clinical evaluation with objective measurements obtained from techniques such as perometry and bioimpedance spectroscopy.
{"title":"Comparison of perometry-based volumetric arm measurements and bioimpedance spectroscopy for early identification of lymphedema in a prospectively-screened cohort of breast cancer patients.","authors":"T. Gillespie, S. Roberts, C. Brunelle, L. Bucci, M. Bernstein, K. Daniell, G. N. Naoum, C. Miller, A. Taghian","doi":"10.2458/lymph.4677","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2458/lymph.4677","url":null,"abstract":"Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) affects more than one in five women treated for breast cancer, and women remain at lifelong risk. Screening for BCRL is recommended by several national and international organizations for women at risk of BCRL, and multiple methods of objective screening measurement exist. The goal of this study was to compare the use of perometry and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) for early identification of BCRL in a cohort of 138 prospectivelyscreened patients. At each screening visit, a patient's relative volume change (RVC) from perometer measurements and change in L-Dex from baseline (ΔL-Dex) using BIS was calculated. There was a negligible correlation between RVC and ΔL-Dex (r=0.195). Multiple thresholds of BCRL were examined: RVC ≥5% and ≥10% as well as and ΔL-Dex ≥6.5 and ≥10. While some patients developed an elevated RVC and ΔL-Dex, many demonstrated elevations in only one threshold category. Moreover, the majority of patients with RVC ≥5%, ΔL-Dex ≥6.5, or ΔL-Dex ≥10 regressed to non-elevated measurements without intervention. These findings suggest a role for combining multiple screening methods for early identification of BCRL; furthermore, BCRL diagnosis must incorporate patient symptoms and clinical evaluation with objective measurements obtained from techniques such as perometry and bioimpedance spectroscopy.","PeriodicalId":51122,"journal":{"name":"Lymphology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2021-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42325898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Michelini, B. Amato, M. Ricci, R. Serrani, D. Vešelényiová, S. Kenanoglu, D. Kurti, A. Dautaj, M. Baglivo, R. Compagna, J. Krajc̆ovic̆, M. Dundar, S. H. Basha, S. Priya, J. Belgrado, M. Bertelli
SVEP1, also known as Polydom, is a large extracellular mosaic protein with functions in protein interactions and adhesion. Since Svep1 knockout animals show severe edema and lymphatic system malformations, the aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of SVEP1 variants in patients with lymphedema. We analyzed DNA from 246 lymphedema patients for variants in known lymphedema genes, 235 of whom tested negative and underwent a second testing for new candidate genes, including SVEP1, as reported here. We found three samples with rare heterozygous missense single-nucleotide variants in the SVEP1 gene. In one family, healthy members were found to carry the same variants and reported some subclinical edema. Based on our findings and a review of the literature, we propose SVEP1 as a candidate gene that should be sequenced in patients with lymphatic malformations, with or without lymphedema, in order to investigate and add evidence on its possible involvement in the development of lymphedema.
{"title":"SVEP1 is important for morphogenesis of lymphatic system: Possible implications in lymphedema.","authors":"S. Michelini, B. Amato, M. Ricci, R. Serrani, D. Vešelényiová, S. Kenanoglu, D. Kurti, A. Dautaj, M. Baglivo, R. Compagna, J. Krajc̆ovic̆, M. Dundar, S. H. Basha, S. Priya, J. Belgrado, M. Bertelli","doi":"10.2458/lymph.4678","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2458/lymph.4678","url":null,"abstract":"SVEP1, also known as Polydom, is a large extracellular mosaic protein with functions in protein interactions and adhesion. Since Svep1 knockout animals show severe edema and lymphatic system malformations, the aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of SVEP1 variants in patients with lymphedema. We analyzed DNA from 246 lymphedema patients for variants in known lymphedema genes, 235 of whom tested negative and underwent a second testing for new candidate genes, including SVEP1, as reported here. We found three samples with rare heterozygous missense single-nucleotide variants in the SVEP1 gene. In one family, healthy members were found to carry the same variants and reported some subclinical edema. Based on our findings and a review of the literature, we propose SVEP1 as a candidate gene that should be sequenced in patients with lymphatic malformations, with or without lymphedema, in order to investigate and add evidence on its possible involvement in the development of lymphedema.","PeriodicalId":51122,"journal":{"name":"Lymphology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2021-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44053753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
We designed a study to compare effects of complete decongestive therapy (CDT) and kinesiology taping (KT) (with exercise and skin care) on limb circumference, lymphedema volume, grip strength, functional status, and quality of life in patients with unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Forty patients with unilateral stage 2 BCRL were randomized to either the CDT group (n=20) or the KT group (n=20). Patients in the CDT group underwent 30-min manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and multi-layer, short-stretch bandaging once a week for four weeks. Patients in the KT group underwent taping once a week for four weeks. In addition, all patients were informed about skin care and given an exercise program throughout the treatment. Upper extremity circumference and volume differences as primary outcomes and grip strength, Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) scores as secondary outcomes were assessed initially, after treatment (4 weeks), and at the 1st month follow-up. Limb circumference and volume differences were significantly reduced in the CDT group after the 4-week treatment compared with the KT group (p=0.012 and p=0.015, respectively), but there was no difference between the groups in the 1st month follow-up (p>0.05). There was no difference between the groups in terms of grip strength, Q-DASH, and FACT-B scores after treatment and at the 1st month follow-up (p>0.05). Our results show that both KT and CDT were found to significantly reduce limb volume and circumference individually at 4-weeks and the one-month follow-up in patients with BCRL and that CDT significantly reduced both limb volume and circumference compared to KT at the 4- week time point, but not at the follow-up. Further randomized controlled trials with patients at different stages of BCRL are needed to confirm and expand these results.
{"title":"Comparison of complete decongestive therapy and kinesiology taping for unilateral upper limb breast cancer-related lymphedema: A randomized controlled trial.","authors":"C. Başoğlu, D. Sindel, M. Corum, A. Oral","doi":"10.2458/lymph.4680","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2458/lymph.4680","url":null,"abstract":"We designed a study to compare effects of complete decongestive therapy (CDT) and kinesiology taping (KT) (with exercise and skin care) on limb circumference, lymphedema volume, grip strength, functional status, and quality of life in patients with unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Forty patients with unilateral stage 2 BCRL were randomized to either the CDT group (n=20) or the KT group (n=20). Patients in the CDT group underwent 30-min manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and multi-layer, short-stretch bandaging once a week for four weeks. Patients in the KT group underwent taping once a week for four weeks. In addition, all patients were informed about skin care and given an exercise program throughout the treatment. Upper extremity circumference and volume differences as primary outcomes and grip strength, Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) scores as secondary outcomes were assessed initially, after treatment (4 weeks), and at the 1st month follow-up. Limb circumference and volume differences were significantly reduced in the CDT group after the 4-week treatment compared with the KT group (p=0.012 and p=0.015, respectively), but there was no difference between the groups in the 1st month follow-up (p>0.05). There was no difference between the groups in terms of grip strength, Q-DASH, and FACT-B scores after treatment and at the 1st month follow-up (p>0.05). Our results show that both KT and CDT were found to significantly reduce limb volume and circumference individually at 4-weeks and the one-month follow-up in patients with BCRL and that CDT significantly reduced both limb volume and circumference compared to KT at the 4- week time point, but not at the follow-up. Further randomized controlled trials with patients at different stages of BCRL are needed to confirm and expand these results.","PeriodicalId":51122,"journal":{"name":"Lymphology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2021-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41919614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Treatment of patients with lymphedema focuses on reducing limb volume with more recent recognition of the importance of qualityof- life issues. Perhaps due to the incidence of filariasis-related lymphedema compared to breast cancer-related lymphedema in the western world, the Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) in Kerala, India has developed a low-cost and culturally acceptable treatment with quality-of-life focus that works well in that area. Worldwide, there is also recognition of chronic edema as a potential co-morbidity and the recent advances in genetic analysis continue to shed light on lymphedema development that may be important in filariasisrelated lymphedema. Although improvement in treatment outcomes by surgical means has been shown, there is often conventional treatment mixed in the therapy and no randomized controls of any therapy exist. In addition, these techniques require supermicrosurgical skill not available in many areas of the world. The WHO has documented the need in filariasis for both universal health care and innovative care for chronic conditions. The IAD has addressed these issues with its integrative model of treatment with patient quality-of-life at the forefront to incorporate traditional practice to involve the patient more fully in family and community support for an additional therapeutic tool.
{"title":"Morbidity management and disability prevention: An agenda for developing nations initiated in India.","authors":"SR Narahari, TJ Ryan","doi":"10.2458/lymph.4668","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2458/lymph.4668","url":null,"abstract":"Treatment of patients with lymphedema focuses on reducing limb volume with more recent recognition of the importance of qualityof- life issues. Perhaps due to the incidence of filariasis-related lymphedema compared to breast cancer-related lymphedema in the western world, the Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) in Kerala, India has developed a low-cost and culturally acceptable treatment with quality-of-life focus that works well in that area. Worldwide, there is also recognition of chronic edema as a potential co-morbidity and the recent advances in genetic analysis continue to shed light on lymphedema development that may be important in filariasisrelated lymphedema. Although improvement in treatment outcomes by surgical means has been shown, there is often conventional treatment mixed in the therapy and no randomized controls of any therapy exist. In addition, these techniques require supermicrosurgical skill not available in many areas of the world. The WHO has documented the need in filariasis for both universal health care and innovative care for chronic conditions. The IAD has addressed these issues with its integrative model of treatment with patient quality-of-life at the forefront to incorporate traditional practice to involve the patient more fully in family and community support for an additional therapeutic tool.","PeriodicalId":51122,"journal":{"name":"Lymphology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2021-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49070001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Mayrovitz, C. Lorenzo-Valido, E. Pieper, A. Thomas
Tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and skin firmness assessed via indentation force (FORCE) help quantify lymphedema and track changes. We sought to determine potential differences in these parameters dependent on arm circumferential locations. Thus, TDC and FORCE were measured in 40 healthy women at medial, anterior and lateral locations on forearm and biceps. In five other women with unilateral lymphedema (68.6±7.6 years), TDC was measured at corresponding circumferential forearm positions. Measurements were done in triplicate using compact noninvasive devices. Results for healthy women (23.8±2.7 years) showed forearm medial TDC values (26.7±2.2) were less than anterior (28.0±2.4) or lateral (28.0±2.5) positions (p<0.001). Lymphedema patients had elevated values but similar medialanterior- lateral patterns (33.7±8.0, 39.8±10.2 and 42.9±10.0). Biceps medial TDC values (24.1±2.2) were also less than either anterior (27.0±2.1) or lateral (28.2±3.3). Contrastingly, medial FORCE values at forearm and biceps were less than at anterior and lateral locations (p<0.001) and increased in the order of medialanterior- lateral on forearm (p<0.001). The present findings provide reference values for both TDC and FORCE of commonly measured arm sites with specificity as to circumferential variations. This observed variation indicates the need for care in locating measurement positions for tracking patients with lymphedema.
{"title":"Forearm and biceps circumferential variations in skin tissue dielectric constant and firmness.","authors":"H. Mayrovitz, C. Lorenzo-Valido, E. Pieper, A. Thomas","doi":"10.2458/lymph.4672","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2458/lymph.4672","url":null,"abstract":"Tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and skin firmness assessed via indentation force (FORCE) help quantify lymphedema and track changes. We sought to determine potential differences in these parameters dependent on arm circumferential locations. Thus, TDC and FORCE were measured in 40 healthy women at medial, anterior and lateral locations on forearm and biceps. In five other women with unilateral lymphedema (68.6±7.6 years), TDC was measured at corresponding circumferential forearm positions. Measurements were done in triplicate using compact noninvasive devices. Results for healthy women (23.8±2.7 years) showed forearm medial TDC values (26.7±2.2) were less than anterior (28.0±2.4) or lateral (28.0±2.5) positions (p<0.001). Lymphedema patients had elevated values but similar medialanterior- lateral patterns (33.7±8.0, 39.8±10.2 and 42.9±10.0). Biceps medial TDC values (24.1±2.2) were also less than either anterior (27.0±2.1) or lateral (28.2±3.3). Contrastingly, medial FORCE values at forearm and biceps were less than at anterior and lateral locations (p<0.001) and increased in the order of medialanterior- lateral on forearm (p<0.001). The present findings provide reference values for both TDC and FORCE of commonly measured arm sites with specificity as to circumferential variations. This observed variation indicates the need for care in locating measurement positions for tracking patients with lymphedema.","PeriodicalId":51122,"journal":{"name":"Lymphology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2021-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46000621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}