Post-therapeutic Lymphedema: Scintigraphy Before and After Autologous Lymph Vessel Transplantation: 8 Years of Long-Term Follow-up

The function of lymphatic vessel grafts was proved in 12 patients with lymphedema of the upper extremity by visual and semiquantitative evaluation of a preoperative baseline study and scintigraphic follow-up data for a period of 8 years after microsurgical treatment. The transplantation site was an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical nuclear medicine 2002-11, Vol.27 (11), p.788-792
Main Authors: WEISS, MAYO, BAUMEISTER, RUEDIGER GEORG HANS, HAHN, KLAUS
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Blood and lymphatic vessels
Cardiology. Vascular system
Cardiovascular system
Diseases of the lymphatic vessels
Female
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Longitudinal Studies
Lymphatic System - metabolism
Lymphatic System - surgery
Lymphedema - diagnostic imaging
Lymphedema - metabolism
Lymphedema - surgery
Lymphoscintigraphy
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Postoperative Care
Preoperative Care
Radionuclide investigations
Radiopharmaceuticals - pharmacokinetics
Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin - pharmacokinetics
Tissue Distribution
Transplantation, Autologous
Treatment Outcome
Upper Extremity - diagnostic imaging
Upper Extremity - surgery
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Summary:The function of lymphatic vessel grafts was proved in 12 patients with lymphedema of the upper extremity by visual and semiquantitative evaluation of a preoperative baseline study and scintigraphic follow-up data for a period of 8 years after microsurgical treatment. The transplantation site was an upper extremity. In 11 of 12 patients, lymphatic function improved after autologous lymphatic vessel transplantation compared with preoperative findings. This could be verified by a statistically significant decrease of the transport index (P < 0.01), clear demonstration of lymph nodes, and a less diffuse distribution pattern of the Tc-99m–labeled nanocolloids. In three patients, the vessel graft could be detected by scintigraphy. Lymphoscintigraphy combined with semiquantitative evaluation of lymphatic transport kinetics has been shown to be an easy and reliable method to assess lymphatic function before and after autologous lymph vessel transplantation.
ISSN:0363-9762
1536-0229
DOI:10.1097/00003072-200211000-00007