[Lymphoscintigraphy in the study of lymphedema of the arms]

The aim of this work has been the study of the mechanism of lymph formation and drainage in the upper limb in patients with monolateral lymphoedema (15 limbs, L) in comparison with the apparently healthy limb (S) as well as with a control group (8 limbs, C). After interstitial injection of 99mTc sulphur micro-colloid, scans were obtained employing a LFOV camera linked to a data processor. Results were expressed as percentage of the id removed from the injection site 1 and 6 hr pi, mean T6%/h it is (T6-T1)/5 and percentage lymph nodes uptake at the same times. Mean T6%/h is significantly different between C and L, but not between L and S, while lymph node uptake at 6 hr shows a significant difference even between C and S. Quantitative lymphoscintigraphy appears to be a feasible indicator of early changes in the lymph pathophysiology and supports the hypothesis that lymphoedema generally arises from a predisposing congenital pathology.