Ultrasonographic evaluation of therapeutic effects of complex decongestive therapy in breast cancer-related lymphedema.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography as a follow-up tool for evaluating the effects of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDPT) in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).


METHODS
Twenty patients with BCRL were enrolled in this study. All patients had undergone therapy in the CDPT program for 2 weeks. Soft tissue thickness of both the affected and unaffected upper limb was measured before and after CDPT. The measurements were taken at 3 points (the mid-point between the medial and lateral epicondyles at the elbow level, 10 cm proximal and 10 cm distal to the elbow) with and without pressure. We then calculated the compliance of soft tissue before and after CDPT. Circumferences of both the affected and unaffected upper limb were also measured before and after CDPT at the 3 defined points.


RESULTS
After 2 weeks of the CDPT program, the circumference and soft tissue thickness of the unaffected upper limb did not significantly change. In the affected upper limb, the circumference was significantly reduced in the 3 point, when compared with measurements taken prior to treatment. Additionally, soft tissue thickness was significantly reduced at the elbow and 10 cm proximal to the elbow. After CDPT, compliance at each of the 3 points had increased, but this trend was not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results showed that arm circumference and ultrasonography-derived soft tissue thickness was useful as a way of assessing therapeutic effects of CDPT.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Jae Hyun
JH
Lee
Bae Wook
BW
Shin
Ho Joong
HJ
Jeong
Ghi Chan
GC
Kim
Dong Kyu
DK
Kim
Young-Joo
YJ
Sim
Complex decongestive physiotherapy; Lymphedema; Ultrasonography