Optimized lymphoscintigraphy and diagnostics of lymphatic oedema of the lower extremities.
BACKGROUND
The elementary diagnostic method for the detection of lymph circulation abnormalities in extremities is lymphoscintigraphy. This method provides information on the morphology and function of the lymphatic system. However, there are no generally acceptable standards for lymphoscintigraphy, which makes judgment of its clinical usefulness very difficult.


METHODS
In this work, a discussion is presented on the usefulness of static qualitative scintigraphy of the lymphatic system of lower extremities as well as of its quantitative interpretation, depending upon: (1) time measurement of radiopharmaceutical transport in the system, and (2) assessment of its regional uptake in lymph nodes. The effectiveness of visual assessment combined with each of the quantitative evaluations mentioned is also presented.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination of visual evaluation of static scintigraphy with each of the listed quantitative procedures improves the sensitivity of lymphoscintigraphy in the diagnosis of lymphatic oedema of lower extremities without affecting the specificity of visual evaluation. Both combined methods are characterized by similar indices of diagnostic efficacy. This enables limitation of the quantitative evaluation of lymphatic scintigraphy to the measurement of the final uptake of RPh in the inguinal lymphatic nodes.
Dabrowski
Janusz
J
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. jcks@csk.am.lodz.pl
Merkert
Ryszard
R
Kuśmierek
Jacek
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult