Validity and intra- and interobserver reliability of an indirect volume measurements in patients with upper extremity lymphedema.
We investigated a method of indirect volume measurement that utilized surface measurements and a simplified formula derived from the formula for a frustum (Sitzia's method) to determine limb volumes in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema of the upper extremity. Repeated measurements of upper-extremity limb volume were obtained by two observers on both upper extremities of 30 women with unilateral lymphedema. Volume was calculated using a simplified formula and compared with water displacement method as a gold standard. Indirect volume determination using Sitzia's method is comparable with the water displacement method, has comparable intra- and interobserver reliabilities, and can be used for diagnosis and follow up measurements of lymphedema. Indirect volume determination using surface measurements at 8 cm intervals is only suitable for follow up measurements. The methods should not be used interchangeably.
Meijer
R S
RS
Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Rietman
J S
JS
Geertzen
J H B
JH
Bosmans
J C
JC
Dijkstra
P U
PU
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001132:Arm / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results