title: Dynamic Indocyanine Green (ICG) lymphography for breast cancer-related arm lymphedema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lymph transportation capacity is a critical function maintaining fluid circulation. After breast cancer treatments, lymph obstruction at the axilla leads to abnormal lymph circulation, resulting in lymph pump dysfunction. As well as lymph circulation, lymph pump function is important for lymphedema evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed and analyzed lymph transportation capacity of 15 breast cancer-related arm lymphedema patients using dynamic indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ICG velocity and transit time could evaluate lymph pump function; ICG velocity decreases and transit time increases as the lymphedema severity stage progresses. Measurement of ICG velocity required 3 minutes after the dye injection, whereas that of transit time took more than 1 hour in severe cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICG velocity can be easily obtained and is recommended for evaluation of lymph pump function. Dynamic ICG lymphography, which evaluates both lymph pump function and circulation, plays an important role in comprehensive assessment of lymphedema pathophysiology.
authors: From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Takumi
authors: T
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Mitsunaga
authors: M
authors: Narushima
authors: Hidehiko
authors: H
authors: Yoshimatsu
authors: Nana
authors: N
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Kazuki
authors: K
authors: Kikuchi
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Todokoro
authors: Takuya
authors: T
authors: Iida
authors: Isao
authors: I
authors: Koshima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007208:Indocyanine Green