Morphologic and functional changes of the microlymphatic network in patients with advancing stages of primary lymphedema.
Using fluorescent microlymphography, we examined the morphology andfunctional characteristics of the microlymph-vascular network in 36 subjects including 9 patients with "compressible" lymphedema (Group I), 14 with minimally compressible lymphedema (Group II), 9 with noncompressible lymphedema (Group III), and 4 healthy individuals. As lymphedema progressedfrom early to advanced stages (Group I-III), an increasingly greater lymphatic capillary density and diameter were depicted and eventually fibrosis/sclerosis with lymphangiectasia, fragmentation and a gradual decrease in the number of microlymphatics. Concomitantly, there was a prolongation in transport and disappearance of fluorescent dye and a progressive increase in endolymphatic and interstitial hydrostatic pressures.
D000328:Adult; D003911:Dextrans; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008200:Lymphangiectasis / Q000150:complications; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008220:Lymphography / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012598:Sclerosis / Q000150:complications; D017556:Technetium Compounds
D003911:Dextrans; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017556:Technetium Compounds