99mTc sulfur colloid lymphoscintigraphy demonstrating patency of a lymphovenous shunt.
Lymphedema of the lower limb can occur as a result of lymphatic obstruction secondary to malignancy or to lymphatic filariasis in endemic countries. Resistant lymphedema can be treated with microsurgical lymphovenous anastomosis, thus creating a lymphovenous shunt. Patency of these anastomoses cannot be assessed with conventional imaging modalities (lymphangiogram). Lymphoscintigraphy is useful for this purpose. Early visualization of liver and blood pool activity indirectly confirms presence of a patent lymphovenous shunt. We demonstrate the patency of lymphovenous shunt in a 48-year-old woman who underwent microsurgical lymphovenous anastomosis for severe lymphedema of the left lower limb.
Department of Nuclear Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Harmandeep
H
Singh
Punit
P
Sharma
Suhas
S
Singla
Krishan Kant
KK
Agarwal
Sudhir
S
Suman Kc
Bangkim
B
Chandra Khangembam
Rakesh
R
Kumar
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000601:surgery*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D061305:Lymphoscintigraphy; D008875:Middle Aged; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; D014654:Vascular Patency
D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid