title: Relationship of the number and size of superficial groin lymph nodes with the stage of secondary lymphatic edema.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the relationships of the size and number of superficial groin lymph nodes with the lower limb lymphedema stage and thus examined the role of superficial lymphatic lymph nodes in secondary lymphedema development.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined the number and size of superficial groin lymph nodes using horizontal plane computed tomography (CT) and the lymphedema stage in the lower limbs of 25 patients with gynecologic cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients had an average of 2.92 (range, 1-7) superficial groin lymph nodes; the mean size of the 146 evaluated lymph nodes was 7.55 mm (range, 5-15 mm). In 19 of 25 patients (76%), the side with major edema contained fewer superficial groin lymph nodes. In total, 22 patients (88%) had fewer superficial groin lymph nodes or a smaller total lymph node size on the edematous dominant side.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this evaluation of the link between superficial groin lymph node laterality and secondary lymphedema staging, we found that patients with large lymph node numbers and sizes tended to present with a relatively earlier stage of lymphedema. Our results therefore suggest that the size and number of superficial groin lymph nodes affect the lymphedema stage. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:940-946. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Okayama, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Onoda
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Okayama, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kimata
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Okayama, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Okayama, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seki
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Okayama, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hiramatsu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D006119:Groin; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: gynecologic cancer; lower limb lymphedema; risk factor; secondary lymphedema; superficial groin lymph nodes