Hwang JH, Kwon JY, Lee KW, Choi JY, Kim BT, Lee BB, Kim DI, et al.
Lymphology. Date of publication 1999 Mar 1;volume 32(1):15-21.
1. Lymphology. 1999 Mar;32(1):15-21.
Changes in lymphatic function after complex physical therapy for lymphedema.
Hwang JH(1), Kwon JY, Lee KW, Choi JY, Kim BT, Lee BB, Kim DI.
Author information:
(1)Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Medical Center,
Sungkyun kwan University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Twenty-two extremities of 19 lymphedema patients (6 arms, 16 legs) were treated
by 2 weeks of complex physical therapy (CPT) and self home maintenance therapy
(bandage/wearing of elastic garment and exercise). In addition to the clinical
response of volume reduction before and 3 months after CPT, we analyzed the
functional changes of the peripheral lymphatic system by use of
lymphoscintigraphy (LS). Before CPT, the main LS findings of lymphedema included
dermal backflow (100%), absent or faintly visualized regional lymph nodes
(95.5%), presence of collateral lymphatic vessels (68.2%), and no or barely
visualized lymphatic vessels (27.3%). LS findings suggesting improved lymphatic
function after CPT were a decrease in dermal backflow (72.7%), an increase in
radioisotope uptake by lymphatic vessels (27.3%), and an increase in radioisotope
uptake by lymph nodes (9.1%). 81.8% of limbs showed improved lymphoscintigraphic
findings and no change in 9.1%. In the others (9.1%), LS findings appeared worse.
There was, however, no correlation between LS "improvement" and the amount of
limb volume reduction.
PMID: 10197323 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
