The potential usefulness of condensed image processing of sequential lymphoscintigrams in patients with lymphedema

Condensed image processing (CIP), a computerized technique of scintiscans that generates a vertical distribution of activity as a function of time in a single image, was applied to isotopic lymphoscintigrams of four patients with leg lymphedema. By "condensing" information gained from multiple images into a single image, CIP better evaluates ascending progression of radiolabeled colloid in peripheral lymph and better localizes stagnant areas. In "high lymph flow failure," CIP also depicts radioactive "bursts" suggestive of increased lymphatic truncal contractility. This data processing method improves interpretation of dynamic scintiscan recordings and seems ideally suited for evaluation of peripheral lymph kinetics.