title: [Contribution of methods of exploration for the diagnosis and physiopathological interpretation of lymphatic insufficiency of whatever origin].
abstract: The diagnosis of lymphatic deficiency, essentially in clinic, sometimes necessitates complementary investigations to find out exactly the causes or type of the deficiency. All investigations of lymphatic function rely on the injection at a specific point of a substance which will follow the lymphatic ducts. Besides the injection of patent blue, with incomplete information, the value of direct lymphography in investigating a tumorous cause, and of indirect lymphography with less anatomical precision but allowing a kinetic study, should be emphasized. Oedema, always a sign of lymphatic involvement, can be investigated indirectly on the venous side by the usual known methods. Volumetric investigations ought perhaps to take into account the joint role of the vein and the lymph duct in the return to normal after venous occlusion. None of the known methods is absolutely perfect, but isotopic lymphography is, in our opinion, the most plausible correct method, still far from ideal but which can greatly help with the investigation of patients in emergency cases.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008220:Lymphography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
vernacular_title: Apport des méthodes d'exploration pour le diagnostic et l'interprétation physiopathologique des insuffisances lymphatiques quelle qu'en soit la cause.