[Changes in blood microelements in lymphedema]

Reviews data on 548 patients with various stages and forms of lymphedema; formed elements of the blood and plasma were analyzed in 84 of these, aged 16 to 64. Zinc, iron, cobalt, antimony, cesium, cerium, selenium, scandium, rubidium, chromium levels were measured by neutral activation technique. Changes in concentrations of plasma trace elements and formed elements of the blood were detected, related to the disease stage. Analysis of blood trace elements in patients with lymphedema appears to be a useful criterion for the assessment of disorders in lymph outflow in various stages of the disease.