[Morphometric studies on lymphatic vessels of the axillary region]

Axillary lymph vessels of 94 autopsy cases (42 female, 52 male) have been investigated histologically in serial slices. Total diameter of the lymph vessels, vascular wall diameter, diameter of the medial connective tissue, finally that one of the artificial tissue spaces were measured in almost 8000 single measurements. The mean values of counts for the different vascular wall components were assessed statistically with the aid of a computer. By reason of the enormous individual variation of the number and the size in lymph vessel system a direct comparison of the measurement data from the different wall components was impossible. Therefore, the ratio of connective tissue to smooth muscle within the vascular media was regarded as a significant parameter for the development of a lymphangiosclerosis. The connective tissue/smooth muscle gradient increased from decade to decade with a slighter progression in groups with higher age A significant increase of lymphangi osclerosis was noted in cases with right heart insufficiency in correlation to the degree of heart insuffiency. Severe lymphangiosclerotic alterations were developed after radical mastectomy and radiotherapy of the axilla, after radiotherapy of other malignant tumors, and in cases with heart failures or vascular dysplasia. Morphometric investigations were not possible in cases with floride lymphangitis and in one case of general vascular amyloidosis.