Skip to main content

Lymphatic Disease

  • Chapter
Atlas of Vascular Disease

Abstract

Lymphedema can be defined as a clinical presentation characterized by an excessive regional interstitial accumulation of protein-rich fluid. This common clinical disorder most typically arises when regional microcirculatory imbalances are created by a loss of lymphatic transport capacity. Whenever the lymphatic circulation is damaged, diseased, or malformed, a spectrum of derangements can result.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Szuba A, Rockson S: Lymphedema: anatomy, physiology and pathogenesis. Vasc Med 1997, 2: 321–326.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Rockson SG: Lymphedema. Am J Med 2001, 110: 288295.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rockson SG: Primary lymphedema. In Current Therapy in Vascular Surgery, edn 4. Edited by Ernst CB, Stanley JC. Philadelphia: Mosby; 2000: 915–918.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Dumont DJ, Jussila L, Taipale J, et al.: Cardiovascular failure in mouse embryos deficient in VEGF receptor-3. Science 1998, 282:946–949.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Velanovich V, Szymanski W: Quality of life of breast cancer patients with lymphedema. Am J Surg 1999, 177 (3): 184–187.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Brautigam P, Foldi E, Schaiper I, et al.: Analysis of lymphatic drainage in various forms of leg edema using two compartment lymphoscintigraphy. Lymphology 1998, 31:43–55.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Mostbeck A, Partsch H: Isotope lymphography-possibilities and limits in evaluation of lymph transport [in German]. Wien Med Wochenschr 1999, 149: 87–91.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kinmonth JB, Taylor GW, Tracy GD, Marsh JD: Primary lymphoedema. Clinical and lymphangiographic studies of a series of 107 patients in which the lower limbs were affected. Br J Surg 1957, 45: 1–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Starling EH: On the absorption of fluids from the connective tissue spaces. J Physiol 1896, 19: 312.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Landis EM, Pappenheimer JR: Exchange of substances through capillary walls. In Handbook of Physiology, Section 2, Circulation, vol II. Edited by Hamilton WF, Dow P. Washington, DC: American Physiological Society; 1963: 961–1034.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Guyton AC, Grangher HJ, Taylor AE: Interstitial fluid pressure. Physiol Rev 1971, 51: 527–563.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Wolfe IHN, Kinmonth JB: The prognosis of primary lymphedema of the lower limbs. Arch Surg 1981, 116: 1157–1160.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Karkkainen MJ, Ferrell RE, Lawrence EC, et al.: Missense mutations interfere with VEGF-3 signalling in primary lymphoedema. Nat Genet 2000, 25:153–159.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Mangion J, Rahman N, Mansour S, et al.: A gene for lymphedemadistichiasis maps to 16q24.3. Am J Hum Genet 1999, 65:427–432.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Segerstrom K, Bjerle P, Graffman S, Nystrom A: Factors that influence the incidence of brachial oedema after treatment of breast cancer. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg 1992, 26 (2): 223–227.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Svensson WE, Mortimer PS, Tohno E, Cosgrove DO: Colour Doppler demonstrates venous flow abnormalities in breast cancer patients with chronic arm swelling. Eur J Cancer 1994, 30A: 657–660.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Rockson SG: Precipitating factors in lymphedema: myths and realities. Cancer 1998, 83: 2814–2816.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Ward LC, Bunce IH, Cornish BH, et al.: Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance augments the diagnosis and management of lymphoedema in post-mastectomy patients. Eur J Clin Invest 1992, 22:751–754.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Vaughan BF: CT of swollen legs. Clin Radiol 1990, 41: 24–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. O’Donnell TF, Edwards JM, Kinmonth JB: Lymphography in congenital mixed vascular deformities of the lower extremities. J Cardiovasc Surg 1976, 17: 535–540.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Stewart G, Gaunt JI, Croft DN, Browse NL: Isotope lymphography: a new method of investigating the role of the lymphatics in chronic limb oedema. Br J Surg 1985, 72: 906–909.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Ter SE, Alavi A, Kim CK, Merli G: Lymphoscintigraphy: a reliable test for the diagnosis of lymphedema. Clin Nucl Med 1993, 18: 646–654.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Gloviczki P, Calcagno D, Schirger A, et al.: Noninvasive evaluation of the swollen extremity: experiences with 190 lymphoscintiographic examinations. J Vasc Surg 1989, 9:683–690.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Rockson SG, Miller LT, Seine R, et al.: American Cancer Society Lymphedema Workshop. Workgroup III: Diagnosis and management of lymphedema. Cancer 1998, 83:2882–2885.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Szuba A, Cooke JP, Yousuf S, Rockson SG: Decongestive lymphatic therapy for patients with cancer-related or primary lymphedema. Am J Med 2000, 109: 296–300.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Charles RH: A System of Treatment, vol 3. Edited by Latham A, English TC. London: J A Churchill Ltd; 1912: 504.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Brorson H, Svensson H: Liposuction combined with controlled compression therapy reduces arm lymphedema more effectively than controlled compression therapy alone. Plast Reconstr Surg 1998, 102: 1058–1067.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2003 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rockson, S. (2003). Lymphatic Disease. In: Creager, M.A. (eds) Atlas of Vascular Disease. Current Medicine Group, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4564-1_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4564-1_12

  • Publisher Name: Current Medicine Group, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-4566-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-4564-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics