[The usefulness of isotopic lymphoscintigraphy in the study of lymphedemas].
BACKGROUND
Lymphedema is a process caused by the obstruction or destruction of the lymphatic vessels in the subcutaneous tissue. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve its clinical course, but this debilitating disease is often misdiagnosed.


OBJECTIVE
To highlight the importance of isotopic lymphoscintigraphy as a simple, non-invasive technique for the assessment and diagnosis of lymphedemas.


METHODS
We present 2 patients affected with genital edema, and another with edema in the right upper limb. All of these were secondary to chronic infections. An isotopic lymphoscintigraphy was performed on all three patients.


RESULTS
In all three patients, the isotopic lymphoscintigraphy made it possible to confirm the diagnosis and the extent of the lymphedema.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that techniques such as phlebography, ultrasound/Doppler, CAT, magnetic resonance, cultures and biopsies should be used with all lymphedema patients in order to establish the cause of the disease. We propose that isotopic lymphoscintigraphy be added to these tests for appropriate lymphedema management.
Departamento de Dermatología, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Facultad de Medicina, Pamplona, Spain. jdelolmo@unav.es
Julio
J
del Olmo
Agustín
A
España
José
J
Richter
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007554:Isotopes; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
D007554:Isotopes