title: Ultrasonography of arm edema after axillary dissection for breast cancer: a preliminary study.
abstract: This work examined whether ultrasonography (US) provides detailed information about physical characteristics of lymphedema and whether there is agreement between imaging and clinical data. The study population included 46 women with chronic arm edema after axillary dissection for breast cancer. US showed in each patient an increase of subcutaneous tissue thickness compared with the contralateral arm. Fluid accumulation was seen in 16 patients (34.7%), fibrosis in 12 (26.0%), and a mixed picture (fibrosis and fluid) in 18 (39.1%). Correlation with clinical information ("soft," "medium," "hard, "and "pitting" edema) demonstrated that US documented interstitial fluid in 68.4% of soft edema, mixed fluid and fibrosis in 64.2% of medium edema, and fibrosis in 76.9% of hard edema. Ultrasonography also showed that in soft and medium edema, fibrosis may already have formed. US is useful to follow progression, composition, and management of arm lymphedema after axillary dissection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balzarini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milella
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Civelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sigari
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Conno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001365:Axilla; D001834:Body Water / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography