Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Isolation of Human Lymphatic Endothelial Cells by Multi-parameter Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
Published on: May 1, 2015
Local Echo-Free Space in a Limb with Lymphedema Represents Extracellular Fluid in the Entire Limb
Kotaro Suehiro1, Noriyasu Morikage1, Koshiro Ueda1
1Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Yamaguchi, Japan .
Background:
We previously reported that local subcutaneous echo-free space (SEFS) in the leg was stirringly correlated with extracellular fluid (ECF) status in the same part of the leg when assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). In this study, we examined whether local SEFS represents the ECF status in the entire limb.
Methods And Results:
In 51 legs and 40 arms with lymphedema (LE), subcutaneous tissue ultrasonography was performed to determine SEFS severity (range, 0-2). BIA was also performed to calculate the L-Dex® score (LDS), which is a BIA-derived parameter to represent ECF status, for the arm and modified LDS (mLDS) for the leg (the right arm was used as a reference instead of the contralateral leg). SEFS severity in any part of the leg showed good correlation with mLDS, but that in the lateral lower calf showed the strongest correlation (ρ = 0.86). In contrast, only SEFS severity in the medial forearm showed good correlation with LDS (ρ = 0.74).
Conclusions:
Local SEFS may represent ECF status in the entire limb in both the leg and arm LE.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Transport
This one-way system allows fluids, solutes, and even pathogens to enter but prevents their return to the intercellular...
01:15Development of the Lymphatic System
The first lymph sacs to form are the paired jugular lymph sacs located at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From these sacs, lymphatic capillary plexuses extend to the thorax, upper limbs, neck, and head, eventually forming lymphatic vessels. Each jugular lymph sac maintains a...
01:20Fluid Connective Tissues: Blood and Lymph
Blood
The blood flows through blood vessels— arteries, capillaries, and veins. Blood plasma is primarily made of proteins, solutes, and...
01:25Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's...
01:24Inflammatory Response II: Inflammatory Exudate and Tissue Repair
The typical wound exudate is odorless, transparent, straw-colored, thin, and watery. Exudate, however, can differ depending on the state of wound healing. Likewise, the...
01:23Detailed Structure and Function of Lymph Nodes
From a histological perspective, lymph nodes can be split into two main areas: the superficial cortex and the deep medulla. The outer cortex is populated by dendritic cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes, which are densely packed into follicles. When these B-lymphocytes are presented...