title: Indocyanine Green Lymphography Findings in Limb Lymphedema.
abstract: METHODS
  Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography is one of several methods of lymphography to detect lymphatic channels and evaluate patients clinically with limb lymphedema. ICG imaging is made possible by the use of a near-infrared camera device. The fluorescence images were digitalized for real-time display.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ICG lymphography findings are largely classifiable into two patterns: normal linear pattern and abnormal dermal backflow (DB) pattern. ICG lymphography pattern changes from the normal linear pattern to abnormal DB patterns in obstructive peripheral lymphedema; with progression of lymphedema, DB patterns change from splash pattern, to stardust pattern, and finally to diffuse pattern. We classify ICG lymphography progression into 0 to V stages for the upper extremity, the lower extremity and into 0 to IV stages for the genital area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In DB stage II, most patients are symptomatic; thus, aggressive treatments, such as lymphaticovenular anastomosis, are indicated. In DB stages III to V, lymphaticovenular anastomosis is recommended because most patients are refractory to conservative therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsunaga
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Narushima
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Fusa
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ogata
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hidehiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshimatsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mihara
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Koshima
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008220:Lymphography / Q000379:methods*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green