The Upper Extremity Lymphatic System Is Not Symmetrical in Individuals: An Anatomic Study Utilizing Indocyanine Green...

To evaluate whether superficial lymphatic anatomy and functional lymph node drainage are symmetric between the right and left upper extremities of healthy female volunteers and whether handedness is associated with symmetry of superficial lymphatic anatomy.

Symmetry of lymphatic anatomy has been assumed historically. This assumption of individual anatomic symmetry is being utilized clinically and in research without validation.

Thirty-six normal female volunteers underwent bilateral indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography and lymphoscintigraphy of the upper extremities. Eight collecting vessel pathways of each upper extremity were mapped on ICG lymphography. Thirteen lymph node groups were visualized on lymphoscintigraphy. Symmetry of lymphatic anatomy and functional drainage were established by comparing the right and left extremities of each participant. Hand dominance was assessed by hand grip strength on a hand dynamometer.

Among the 36 participants, 10 (28%) showed symmetry of all 8 upper extremity lymphatic pathways with ICG. However, only 2 (6%) participants demonstrated complete symmetry among the 13 lymph node groups. Total symmetry of lymphatic channels was observed on ICG in 7 (39%) participants with hand dominance and 3 (17%) participants without hand dominance (X 2 = 2.215, P = 0.137).

Lymphatic anatomy and functional drainage of the upper extremities are not consistently symmetric. Functional nodal drainage as demonstrated by lymphoscintigraphy shows less symmetry than anatomic studies of lymphatic channels using ICG. Symmetric lymphatic anatomy does not appear to correlate with hand dominance. These findings challenge the prevailing assumption of left-right lymphatic symmetry.