Abnormal lymph drainage in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers.
BACKGROUND
Edema often occurs in association with venous leg ulcers.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to assess lymphatic function in the legs of patients with venous leg ulcers.


METHODS
Quantitative lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 22 normal control subjects, 32 patients with venous leg ulcers, and 7 patients with varicose veins only.


RESULTS
Lymph drainage declined with age in the normal controls (r = -0.57; p = 0.0001). Lymphatic function was reduced in the ulcerated legs compared with normal limbs (age < 65 years; p < 0.0001) and in edematous legs compared with nonedematous legs (age > 65 years; ulcerated legs, p = 0.016; nonulcerated legs, p = 0.021). Lymph drainage was lower in the legs of patients with varicose veins only (p = 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Impaired lymphatic function is associated with both venous leg ulcers and chronic venous hypertension.
Bull
R H
RH
Department of Dermatology, St George's Hospital, London, England.
Gane
J N
JN
Evans
J E
JE
Joseph
A E
AE
Mortimer
P S
PS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D061305:Lymphoscintigraphy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017156:Photoplethysmography; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology