Differences in lymph drainage between swollen and non-swollen regions in arms with breast-cancer-related lymphoedema

2001 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. B. STANTON ◽  
W. E. SVENSSON ◽  
R. H. MELLOR ◽  
A. M. PETERS ◽  
J. R. LEVICK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Lymph Flow ◽  
Lymph Drainage ◽  
Lymphatic Function ◽  
Γ Radiation ◽  
Image Width ◽  
Proximal Forearm

Recent research indicates that the pathophysiology of breast-cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is more complex than simple axillary lymphatic obstruction as a result of the cancer treatment. Uneven distribution of swelling (involvement of the mid-arm region is common, but the hand is often spared) is puzzling. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that local differences in lymphatic drainage contribute to the regionality of the oedema. Using lymphoscintigraphy, we measured the removal rate constant, k (representing local lymph flow per unit distribution volume, VD), for 99mTc-labelled human immunoglobulin G in the oedematous proximal forearm, and in the hand (finger web) in women in whom the hand was unaffected. Tracer was injected subcutaneously, and the depot plus the rest of the arm was monitored with a γ-radiation camera for up to 6 h. VD was assessed from image width. Contralateral arms served as controls. k was 25% lower in oedematous forearm tissue than in the control arm (BCRL, -0.070±0.026%·min-1; control, -0.093±0.028%·min-1; mean±S.D.; P = 0.012) and VD was greater. In the non-oedematous hand of the BCRL arm, k was 18% higher than in the control hand (BCRL, -0.110±0.027%·min-1; control, -0.095±0.028%·min-1; P = 0.057) and 59% higher than forearm k on the BCRL side (P = 0.0014). VD did not differ between the hands. Images of the BCRL arm following hand injection showed diffuse activity in the superficial tissues, sometimes extending almost to the shoulder. A possible interpretation is that the hand is spared in some patients because local lymph flow is increased and diverted along collateral dermal routes. The results support the hypothesis that regional differences in surviving lymphatic function contribute to the distribution of swelling.

scholarly journals Changes in Indocyanine Green Lymphography Patterns after Physical Treatment in Secondary Upper Limb Lymphedema

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 306
Author(s):  
María Elena Medina-Rodríguez ◽  
María de-la-Casa-Almeida ◽  
Jesús González Martín ◽  
María Hermida Anllo ◽  
Esther M. Medrano-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Indocyanine Green ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Manual Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Physical Treatment ◽  
Lymphatic Function ◽  
Disease Patterns ◽  
Before And After

Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography is used to evaluate the lymphatic function before and after pneumatic compression or post-manual lymphatic drainage. The aim of this study was to ascertain the changes in the fluoroscopic pattern produced by the provision of complex physical therapy. This prospective analytic (pretest-posttest) study was conducted in 19 patients with upper lymphedema secondary to breast cancer. Nine patients were excluded due to ICG found after 3 weeks. The ICG patterns were analyzed under basal conditions and after three weeks of treatment. After the treatment, 45% of the patients presented tracer remains in the affected limb, and this finding was significantly related to time of the lymphedema development. In one subject, the patterns remain unchanged or cannot be defined. Three of the ten patients observed present the worsening of at least 1 of the patterns and in the rest of the subjects, six cases, the improvement of the patterns is observed. In 60% of the cases, the most severe pattern reversed towards slight (splash) cases, and moderate cases reversed towards a slight case in 70% of cases. Therefore, after treatment with complex physical therapy, the pathological patterns observed in the pretest, which evolved positively, reverted their severity toward milder disease patterns or towards normality.

Minimally invasive quantification of lymph flow in mice and rats by imaging depot clearance of near-infrared albumin

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (2) ◽  
pp. H391-H401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tine V. Karlsen ◽  
Emmet McCormack ◽  
Maja Mujic ◽  
Olav Tenstad ◽  
Helge Wiig
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Intradermal Injection ◽  
Lymph Flow ◽  
Lymphatic Function ◽  
C3h Mice ◽  
Washout Curves ◽  
Log Linear ◽  
Protein Rich

There is a lack of available methods to noninvasively quantify lymphatic function in small experimental animals, a necessity for studies on lymphatic system pathophysiology. We present a new method to quantify lymph flow in mice and rats, based on optically monitoring the depot clearance of near-infrared fluorescently labeled albumin and subsequent calculation of removal rate constants ( k). BSA was conjugated with Alexa680 NHS ester and remained stable in protein-rich solutions without free dye dissociation. To assess lymph flow, mice or rats were imaged every 30 or 60 min during a 3- to 6-h period following an intradermal injection of 0.5 or 1 μl Alexa680-albumin. Mice were awake between measurements, whereas rats were anesthetized throughout the experiment. The k, a parameter defined as equivalent to lymph flow, was calculated from the slopes of the resultant log-linear washout curves and averaged −0.40 ± 0.03 and −0.30 ± 0.02%/min for control C57BL/6 and C3H mice, respectively. Local administration of the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 in mice led to a significant reduction in k, whereas overhydration in rats increased k, reflecting the coupling between capillary filtration and lymph flow. Furthermore, k was 50% of wild type in lymphedema Chy mice where dermal lymphatics are absent. We conclude that lymph flow can be determined as its rate constant k by optical imaging of depot clearance of submicroliter amounts of Alexa680-albumin. The method offers a minimally invasive, reproducible, and simple alternative to assess lymphatic function in mice and rats.

Quantitation of Lymphatic Drainage of the Peritoneal Cavity in Sheep: Comparison of Direct Cannulation Techniques with Indirect Methods to Estimate L Ymph Flow

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Tran ◽  
Helen Rodela ◽  
John B. Hay ◽  
Dimitrios Oreopoulos ◽  
Miles G. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Cavity ◽  
Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Lymph Flow ◽  
Lymph Drainage ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Drainage Fluid ◽  
Peritoneal Drainage ◽  
Ultrafiltration Failure ◽  
Lymph Duct ◽  
The Right

Objective It has been suggested that lymphatics may contribute to ultrafiltration failure in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) byabsorbing dialysate and ultrafiltrate from the peritoneal cavity. In most studies lymphatic drainage has been estimated from the disappearance of an instilled tracer from the peritoneal cavity or estimated from the appearance of an intraperitoneally administered tracer in the bloodstream. However, in sheep it is possible to cannulate several of the relevant lymphatics that drain the peritoneal cavity and assess lymph drainage parameters directly. The purpose of this study was to estimate lymph drainage from the peritoneal cavity in sheep using the disappearance of tracer from the cavity and the appearance of intraperitoneally instilled tracer in the bloodstream and to compare these results with those obtained from our previous studies using cannulation techniques. Design Experiments were performed in anesthetized and nonanesthetized animals. Volumes of 50 mL/kg of Dianeal 4.25% containing 25 μCi of 1251-albumin were infused into the peritoneal cavity. Results In anesthetized sheep the calculated peritoneal lymph drainage from monitoring the disappearance of tracer from the peritoneal cavity over 6 hours was 1.873±0.364 mL/kg/hour. Monitoring the appearance of tracer in the blood gave significantly lower peritoneal lymph flow rates of 1.094±0.241 mL/kg/hour. Directly measured lymph flow rates from our earlier publication were lower still and ranged from 0.156±0.028 -0.265±0.049 mL/hour/kg, depending on how we estimated the right lymph duct contribution to peritoneal drainage, since we could not cannulate this vessel. We repeated these experiments in conscious sheep. The value for lymph flow estimated from the disappearance of tracer from the peritoneal cavity was 2.398±0.617 mL/hour/kg and from the appearance of tracer in the blood, 1.424±0.113 mL/ hour/kg. The1ymph flow rates monitored from indwelling lymphatic catheters ranged from 1.021 ±0.186 -1.523±0.213 mL/hour/kg (again, depending on our estimates for the right lymph duct). Conclusions Lymph flow rates measured from indwelling lymphatic catheters provided the most conservative values for lymphatic drainage of the peritoneal cavity under dialysis conditions. Estimates of lymphatic drainage based on the appearance of tracer in the blood gave values that were on average higher. The method using the disappearance of tracer from the cavity to estimate lymph flows overestimated peritoneal lymph drainage. Fluid was lost from the peritoneal cavity, and the estimated proportion of liquid lost through lymphatic drainage depended on the technique used to measure lymph flow rates.

A quantitative lymphoscintigraphic evaluation of lymphatic function in the swollen hands of women with lymphoedema following breast cancer treatment

2006 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
pp. 553-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony W. B. Stanton ◽  
Stephanie Modi ◽  
Russell H. Mellor ◽  
A. Mike Peters ◽  
William E. Svensson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Lymph Drainage ◽  
Lymphatic Function ◽  
Drainage Rate ◽  
Arm Swelling ◽  
Contralateral Hand ◽  
Two Populations

In BCRL (breast cancer-related lymphoedema), arm swelling is unevenly distributed and some regions are partly or entirely spared. In particular, the hand may or not be swollen, but when involved functional impairment can be substantial. We have found previously that, when the ipsilateral hand is spared of swelling (in a limb with swelling proximal to the hand), the local lymph drainage rate constant (k) is at least as high as in the contralateral hand, contrary to the traditional ‘stopcock’ concept of reduced lymph drainage from the whole limb. In the light of this finding, we have investigated lymph drainage in the hands of eight women with BCRL and moderate-to-severe hand swelling, using γ-camera quantitative lymphoscintigraphy. Images showed pronounced superficial activity in the ipsilateral swollen arms of most patients, indicating dermal backflow. k for 99mTc-labelled hIgG (human IgG) measured over 5 h in the subcutis of the ipsilateral swollen hand was 34±24% less than in the contralateral hand (P=0.013). Activity measured in the ipsilateral swollen forearm increased progressively, but there was very little increase in the contralateral forearm, indicating retention of 99mTc-labelled hIgG in the swollen forearm. It is concluded that lymphatic function in the swollen hand is impaired, and that there appears to be two populations of women with BCRL, i.e. spared-hand and swollen-hand, irrespective of the cancer treatment received.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Active Exercise Effects on Lymphatic Function Do Not Translate Into Morbidities in Women Who Underwent Breast Cancer Surgery

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Maia Freire de Oliveira ◽  
Maria Salete Costa Gurgel ◽  
Maria Teresa Pace do Amaral ◽  
Bárbara Juarez Amorim ◽  
Celso Darío Ramos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Cancer Surgery ◽  
Breast Cancer Surgery ◽  
Manual Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Lymphatic Function

Reduced Lymphatic Drainage of Dialysate from the Peritoneal Cavity during Acute Peritonitis in Sheep

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Rodela ◽  
Zheng-Yi Yuan ◽  
John B. Hay ◽  
Dimitrios G. Oreopoulos ◽  
Miles G. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Cavity ◽  
Thoracic Duct ◽  
Mediastinal Lymph Node ◽  
Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Lymph Flow ◽  
Lymph Drainage ◽  
Total Recovery ◽  
Acute Peritonitis ◽  
Conscious Sheep ◽  
The Right

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute peritonitis on lymphatic drainage of the peritoneal cavity in conscious sheep Design Peritonitis was induced with the addition of 1% casein or 1% albumin to the dialysis solution. Thirty sheep (5 groups of 6) were used in this study. One group received 50 mL/kg intraperitoneal infusions of Dianeal 4.25% (486 mOsm/L); a second group received 1% casein-DianeaI4.25% (493 mOsm/L); a third group received 1% albumin-Dianeal 4.25% (487 mOsm/L). In the fourth and fifth groups (controls and casein-injected) lymph was collected from the caudal mediastinal lymph node and the thoracic duct, both of which are involved in the lymphatic drainage of the peritoneal cavity (peritonitis induced with casein). 1251-human serum albumin (25 μCi) was added to the dialysate as the lymph flow marker. Lymph drainage was estimated from (1) the appearance of the intraperitoneally administered tracer in the blood; (2) the disappearance of the tracer from the peritoneal cavity; and (3) the recovery of tracer in lymph. Results In noncannulated animals the cumulative volume removed by lymphatics over 6 hours (based on tracer recovery in blood) was 10.5 ±1.0 mL/kg in control animals versus 5.0 ± 0.6 mL/kg and 8.6 ± 1.2 mL/kg in casein and albumin-infused sheep, respectively. The suggestion of decreased lymph drainage in peritonitis was supported by the cannulation experiments. While the cumulative fluid removed from the peritoneal cavity over 6 hours in caudal lymph was unaffected by peritonitis (3.8 ± 0.4 mL/kg in controls vs 3.6 ± 0.5 mL/kg in casein injected animals), peritonitis reduced flow into the thoracic duct from 3.0 ± 0.3 to 1.1 ± 0.3 mL/kg. The sum of the volume removed in lymph in the cannulated preparations was 6.8 ± 0.4 mL/kg in controls versus 4.7 ± 0.5 mL/kg in the peritonitis group. The total volume removed from the cavity (including an estimate of flow based on the residual recovery of tracer in blood) was reduced from 12.6 ±1.4 in controls to 7.8 ± 0.6 mL/kg in the peritonitis sheep. In contrast, estimates of lymph drainage based on the disappearance of tracer from the peritoneal cavity suggested that lymph drainage increased (from 16.6 ±1.6 mL/kg in controls to 17.8 ±1.5 mL/kg and 25.5 ±1.7 mL/kg in the casein and albumin groups, respectively, in noncannulated animals and from 15.3 ± 1.4 mL/kg in controls to 25.0 ± 1.7 mL/kg in the cannulated group). In both noncannulated and cannulated sheep the total recovery of tracer was less in the peritonitis groups. Conclusions These studies demonstrated that lymph drainage of the peritoneal space was decreased in a casein peritonitis model. The decrease in lymph drainage is most obvious in the visceral pathway leading to the thoracic duct; however, diaphragmatic drainage into the right lymph duct may also be inhibited. The disappearance of tracer from the peritoneal cavity was elevated during peritonitis. Tracer disappearance has been used to estimate lymph drainage, but this approach suggested, incorrectly, that lymph flow had increased.

scholarly journals The Findings of SPECT/CT Concerning Bypass Lymph Circulation in Lymphedema Following Breast Cancer Surgery

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 471
Author(s):  
Min Young Lee ◽  
Eunjung Kong ◽  
Dong Gyu Lee
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Lymph Node ◽  
Lymph Nodes ◽  
Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Cancer Surgery ◽  
Breast Cancer Surgery ◽  
Axillary Lymph Nodes ◽  
Axillary Lymph ◽  
Node Dissection ◽  
Positive Group

This study aimed to determine whether bypass circulation was present in lymphedema and its effect. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients who underwent unilateral breast cancer surgery with axillary lymph node dissection were recruited and underwent single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). SPECT/CT was performed to detect the three-dimensional locations of radio-activated lymph nodes. Patients with radioactivity in anatomical locations other than axillary lymph nodes were classified into a positive group. All patients received complete decongestive therapy (CDT). Exclusion criteria were as follows: History of bilateral breast cancer surgery, cervical lymph node dissection history, and upper extremity amputation. The difference in the upper extremity circumference (cm) was measured at four points: Mid-point of the upper arm, elbow, and 10 and 15 cm below the elbow. Twenty-nine patients were included in this study. Fifteen patients (51.7%) had bypass lymphatic systems on the affected side, six (20.7%) had a bypass lymphatic system with axillary lymph nodes on the unaffected side, and 11 (37.9%) showed new lymphatic drainage. The positive group showed significantly less swelling than the negative group at the mid-arm, elbow, and 15 cm below the elbow. Bypass lymphatic circulation had two patterns: Infraclavicular lymph nodes and supraclavicular and/or cervical lymph nodes. Changes in lymph drainage caused by surgery triggered the activation of the superficial lymphatic drainage system to relieve lymphedema. Superficial lymphatic drainage has a connection through the deltopectoral groove.

scholarly journals Lymphoscintigraphy in breast cancer: a short review about the impact on upper limb after surgical treatment

2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (spe) ◽  
pp. 83-89
Author(s):  
Anke Bergmann ◽  
Juliana Miranda Dutra de Resende ◽  
Sebastião David Santos-Filho ◽  
Marcelo Adeodato Bello ◽  
Juliana Flavia de Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Lymphatic Drainage ◽  
Key Words Breast ◽  
Axillary Lymphadenectomy ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact

Breast cancer is still associated with high mortality rates and one of the most important factors governing long survival is accurate and early diagnosis. In underdeveloped countries, this disease frequently is only detected in advanced stages; however, through mammography, many women have been diagnosed at early stages. In this context, the sentinel lymph node (SLN) technique is associated with less postoperative morbidity compared to axillary lymphadenectomy. Lymphoscintigraphy has emerged as a method for the evaluation of lymphatic drainage chains in various tumours, being both accurate and non invasive. The aim of this work is to present the main aspects which cause controversy about SLN and lymphoscintigraphy and the impact that these procedures have had on lymphedema after surgical treatment for breast cancer. A short review including papers in English, Spanish and Portuguese, available on Lilacs and Medline database, published between January, 2000 and July, 2008 was performed. The key words breast cancer, lymphoscintigraphy, SLN biopsy, lymphedema were used. Various studies have aimed to compare the incidence and prevalence of lymphedema according to the technique used; however, the population subjected to SLN is different from the one with indication for axillary lymphadenectomy regarding staging. Moreover, little is known about long term morbidity since it is a relatively new technique. In conclusion, the development of surgical techniques has permitted to minimize deformities and the current trend is that these techniques be as conservative as possible. Thus, lymphoscintigraphy plays an important role in the identification of SLN, contributing to the prevention and minimization of postoperative complications.

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