title: Abnormal lymph drainage in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Dermatology, St George's Hospital, London, England.
authors: R H
authors: RH
authors: Bull
authors: J N
authors: JN
authors: Gane
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Evans
authors: A E
authors: AE
authors: Joseph
authors: P S
authors: PS
authors: Mortimer
mesh_terms: 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