Ultrasonography of extremity lymphedema

Ultrasonography of the extremities was performed in 91 patients with unilateral or bilateral peripheral lymphedema of the arms or legs. Linear 3.5 to 10 mHz ultrasonographic linear probes were used in accordance with standardized procedure. The data demonstrated a volumetric increase of the lymphedematous limb with increased thickness of both the subcutaneous and subfascial (muscular) compartments consistent with fibrosclerosis in both compartments with chronic disease. Whereas dermal thickening was minimal, subcutaneous and subfascial changes were more prominent in primary than secondary lymphedema. By providing information about the volumetric and structural alterations with chronic lymphedema, ultrasonography safely and simply supplements conventional and isotopic lymphography in assessing patients with chronic lymphedema.