Lymphedema: Difference between revisions

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imported>Robert Badgett
(New page: In medicine, '''lymphedema''' is "edema due to obstruction of lymph vessels or disorders of the lymph nodes."<ref>{{MeSH}}</ref> ==Diagnosis== Lymphedema should be distinguished from ...)
 
imported>Robert Badgett
(→‎Diagnosis: Added imaging)
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===Physical examination===
===Physical examination===
On [[physical examination]], fast recovery of pitting is associated with lower serum [[albumin]] levels.<ref name="pmid638510">{{cite journal |author=Henry JA, Altmann P |title=Assessment of hypoproteinaemic oedema: a simple physical sign |journal=British medical journal |volume=1 |issue=6117 |pages=890–1 |year=1978 |month=April |pmid=638510 |pmc=1603695 |doi= |url= |issn=}} [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?pubmedid=638510 PubMed Central]</ref> Fast recovery within 2-3 seconds, is more [[sensitivity and specificity|sensitive]] than specific at detecting hypoalbuminemia. Presumably this is related to the  
On [[physical examination]], fast recovery of pitting is associated with lower serum [[albumin]] levels.<ref name="pmid638510">{{cite journal |author=Henry JA, Altmann P |title=Assessment of hypoproteinaemic oedema: a simple physical sign |journal=British medical journal |volume=1 |issue=6117 |pages=890–1 |year=1978 |month=April |pmid=638510 |pmc=1603695 |doi= |url= |issn=}} [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?pubmedid=638510 PubMed Central]</ref> Fast recovery within 2-3 seconds, is more [[sensitivity and specificity|sensitive]] than specific at detecting hypoalbuminemia. Presumably this is related to the viscosity of the interstitial fluid thus hypoalbuminemic interstitial fluid can reform more quickly.<ref name="pmid638510"/>
 
====Imaging====
Oil contrast lymphography may be used for diagnosis. Whole-body lymphangioscintigraphy may help in the diagnosis.<ref name="pmid2748831">{{cite journal |author=McNeill GC, Witte MH, Witte CL, ''et al.'' |title=Whole-body lymphangioscintigraphy: preferred method for initial assessment of the peripheral lymphatic system |journal=Radiology |volume=172 |issue=2 |pages=495–502 |year=1989 |month=August |pmid=2748831 |doi= |url=http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=2748831 |issn=}}</ref> [[Magnetic resonance imaging]] may help in the diagnosis.<ref name="pmid1501525">{{cite journal |author=Case TC, Witte CL, Witte MH, Unger EC, Williams WH |title=Magnetic resonance imaging in human lymphedema: comparison with lymphangioscintigraphy |journal=Magn Reson Imaging |volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=549–58 |year=1992 |pmid=1501525 |doi= |url= |issn=}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>

Revision as of 11:01, 18 May 2009

In medicine, lymphedema is "edema due to obstruction of lymph vessels or disorders of the lymph nodes."[1]

Diagnosis

Lymphedema should be distinguished from edema, myxedema, and lipedema.[2] Lipedema is more likely to spare the dorsum of the foot.

Physical examination

On physical examination, fast recovery of pitting is associated with lower serum albumin levels.[3] Fast recovery within 2-3 seconds, is more sensitive than specific at detecting hypoalbuminemia. Presumably this is related to the viscosity of the interstitial fluid thus hypoalbuminemic interstitial fluid can reform more quickly.[3]

Imaging

Oil contrast lymphography may be used for diagnosis. Whole-body lymphangioscintigraphy may help in the diagnosis.[4] Magnetic resonance imaging may help in the diagnosis.[5]

References

  1. Anonymous (2024), Lymphedema (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  2. Loughlin V (May 1993). "Massive obesity simulating lymphedema". N. Engl. J. Med. 328 (20): 1496. PMID 8479476[e]
  3. 3.0 3.1 Henry JA, Altmann P (April 1978). "Assessment of hypoproteinaemic oedema: a simple physical sign". British medical journal 1 (6117): 890–1. PMID 638510. PMC 1603695[e] PubMed Central
  4. McNeill GC, Witte MH, Witte CL, et al. (August 1989). "Whole-body lymphangioscintigraphy: preferred method for initial assessment of the peripheral lymphatic system". Radiology 172 (2): 495–502. PMID 2748831[e]
  5. Case TC, Witte CL, Witte MH, Unger EC, Williams WH (1992). "Magnetic resonance imaging in human lymphedema: comparison with lymphangioscintigraphy". Magn Reson Imaging 10 (4): 549–58. PMID 1501525[e]