title: Evaluation by lymphoscintigraphy of the effect of a micronized flavonoid fraction (Daflon 500 mg) in the treatment of upper limb lymphedema.
abstract: Upper limb lymphedema after conventional treatment of breast cancer occurs in about 20% of all treated cases, even after conservative therapy. Women with mild to severe upper limb lymphedema expect a decongestive therapy, which usually associates physiotherapy and medical treatment. Upper limb lymphoscintigraphy using rhenium colloids labelled with technetium 99m can be used as a lymphatic functional test in order to evaluate the efficacy of a therapy. We report here the results of a pilot, open study carried out on 10 female patients, age ranging from 44 to 64 years, previously treated for a breast cancer. The average time delay for the occurrence [correction of occurence] of lymphedema was 17 +/- 7 months. All patients received 500 mg twice daily of a micronized flavonoid fraction (Daflon 500 mg) for 6 months. At the end of the study, all patients had a clinical improvement of symptoms and limb volume and the mean decrease in volume of the swollen limb reached 6.80%. Functional parameters (half-life, clearance and lymphatic speed of the colloid) assessed with scintigraphy were significantly improved. These preliminary results suggest that this therapy is effective for the treatment of lymphedemas.
authors.affiliation: Centre Rene Huguenin, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Saint Cloud, France.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Pecking
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D004145:Diosmin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000187:drug effects; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D061305:Lymphoscintigraphy; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D004145:Diosmin