[Diagnosis of lymphostatic edema of the extremities]

The diagnosis of lymphedema and its combination forms can be established with the aid of basic diagnostic measures (patient's medical history, inspection, palpation). Imaging techniques are indicated only when clinical examination falls to provide an unequivocal diagnosis, or when an accurate functional and morphological status of the disorder is required, for example in early stages of lymphedema and combination forms such as phlebolymphedema or lipolymphedema, etc. At present, the use of ultrasound, CT or MRI is of little value in the diagnosis of lymphedema of the extremities.