title: Intraarterial infusion of autologous lymphocytes for the treatment of refractory lymphoedema. Preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the results of the treatment of lymphoedema by intra-arterial infusion of autologous lymphocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  13 patients with refractory lymphoedema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lymphocytes were separated from the patient's own blood using a blood cell separator; about 100 cc of lymphocyte dominant blood separated from this blood was immediately infused into the proximal artery of the affected limb. Infusion was practiced once a week, and repeated 4 to 6 times.
  
  
  METHODS
  Change in size of the affected limb (defined as the difference between the affected limb and the normal limb after treatment), and softening of the edema (measured with a tension gauge).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all 13 patients there was softening of the affected hard limb followed by a reduction in the size of the limb (mean 64%), and the ache and sensation of heat in the limb lessened. The reduction in size was maintained in 9 of the 13 patients for three months, despite returning to their normal activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intra-arterial infusion of autologous lymphocytes is a promising treatment for refractory lymphoedema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kyoto University Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nagata
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitsumori
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okajima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishigaki
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ohya
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumada
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017710:Lymphocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome