title: Arm Volumetry Versus Upper Extremity Lymphedema Index: Validity of Upper Extremity Lymphedema Index for Body-Type Corrected Arm Volume Evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Volumetry, measurement of extremity volume, is a commonly used method for upper extremity lymphedema (UEL) evaluation. However, comparison between different patients with different physiques is difficult with volumetry, because body-type difference greatly affects arm volume.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy arms of 35 participants who had no history of arm edema or breast cancer were evaluated. Arm volume was calculated using a summed truncated cone model, and UEL index was calculated using circumferences and body mass index (BMI). Examinees' BMI was classified into 3 groups, namely, low BMI (BMI, <20 kg/m), middle BMI (BMI, 20-25 kg/m), and high BMI (BMI, >25 kg/m). Arm volume and UEL index were compared with corresponding BMI groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (SD) arm volume was 1090.9 (205.5) mL, and UEL index 96.9 (5.6). There were significant differences in arm volume between BMI groups [low BMI vs middle BMI vs high BMI, 945.2 (107.4) vs 1045.2 (87.5) vs 1443.1 (244.4) mL, P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference in UEL index between BMI groups [low BMI vs middle BMI vs high BMI, 97.2 (4.2) vs 96.6 (4.6) vs 96.7 (9.9), P > 0.5].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arm volume significantly increased with increase of BMI, whereas UEL index stayed constant regardless of BMI. Upper extremity lymphedema index would allow better body-type corrected arm volume evaluation compared with arm volumetry.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Nana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Takumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Nobuko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Akitatsu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Koshima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged