A New Technique for Measuring Skin Changes of Patients with Chronic Postmastectomy Lymphedema

Mirnajafi, Ali; Moseley, Amanda; Piller, Neil

doi:10.1089/lrb.2004.2.82

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Similar abnormalities have been demonstrated in some other studies (7), but not in others (30). Lymphedema often results in histopathological changes in the skin (12). In order to evaluate dermal circulation after SNB or ALND in terms of the microcirculation, but not venous return in particular, we studied skin blood flow by using laser Doppler fluxmetry and skin temperature.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Lymph drainage studied by lymphoscintigraphy in the arms after sentinel node biopsy compared with axillary lymph node dissection following conservative breast cancer surgery

et al. 2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ndal E, Svensson L, Danielsson R. Lymph drainage studied by lymphoscintigraphy in the arms after sentinel node biopsy compared with axillary lymph node dissection following conservative breast cancer surgery. Acta Radiol 2007;48:488-495.Purpose: To investigate lymphatic drainage as measured by lymphoscintigraphy in the arms of patients undergoing either sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Material and Methods: From January 2001 to December 2002, 30 patients with unilateral invasive breast carcinoma underwent breast-conserving surgery with SNB and 30 patients with ALND. All patients received radiotherapy to the breast. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed, and skin circulation, skin temperature, and arm volume were measured 2-3 years after radiotherapy. Results: None of the 30 patients who underwent SNB showed any clinical manifestation of lymphedema. Of the 30 patients undergoing ALND, six (20%) had clinical lymphedema, with an arm volume that was w10% larger on the operated than on the non-operated side (Pv0.01). Scintigraphically, visual analysis revealed lymphatic dysfunction in three patients, manifested as forearm dermal back flow. Two of these patients also had an increased arm volume. Quantitative analysis showed no differences between the groups, apart from a smaller amount of isotope in the axilla in the ALND group. There was no difference in skin circulation or skin temperature. Conclusion: Our study shows that lymph drainage in the operated arm compared with the non-operated arm was less affected by SNB than by ALND, and that morbidity associated with SNB was lower than with ALND. However, the results do not confirm our hypothesis that lymphoscintigraphy can reveal differences in lymph circulation that are not evident clinically in the form of manifest lymphedema. The most sensitive clinical method of assessing lymph drainage seems to be measurement of arm volume.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Lymph drainage studied by lymphoscintigraphy in the arms after sentinel node biopsy compared with axillary lymph node dissection following conservative breast cancer surgery

et al. 2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Current examinations to determine skin texture and resistance are tissue dielectric constant and tonometry. The tissue dielectric constant measures tissue water content and uses a specific frequency of an electrical current to measure the reflected return wave in order to indicate how much water is present in the tissue Corica et al, 2006;Mirnajafi et al, 2004;Ridner et al, 2007). Tonometry determines how firm a tissue is by measuring how much force is needed to indent the tissue sample [ Figure 3].…”

Section: Diagnosis Of Lymphedemamentioning

confidence: 99%

Arm Lymphedema as a Consequence of Breast Cancer Therapy

Wernicke¹,

Goltser²

2012

Novel Strategies in Lymphedema

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Lymphedema is a swelling caused by the abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the skin. Lymphedema can be caused by burns, injury, surgery, radiation therapy or cancer treatment that cancer survivors undergo. Risk of developing lymphedema is high especially in those with breast or prostate cancer. It is hereditary and can appear without warning at any time of life and is related to obesity and circulatory problems. If not treated, lymphedema can be painful and lead to life-threatening infections. This book will help physicians who deal with lymphedema. It will help you understand how the lymphatic system works, how lymphedema is diagnosed, how to cope with the challenges of lymphedema, how to find treatment, and how to deal with insurance issues.Novel Strategies in Lymphedema is for those with, or at risk of, developing lymphedema, and the healthcare professionals who care for them.

show abstract

Lymphedema in Gynecologic Cancer Survivors

Lockwood-Rayermann

2007

Cancer Nursing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is a paucity of research on the incidence and impact of lower body lymphedema in the gynecologic cancer population. The cornerstone of management for gynecologic cancer is cytoreductive surgery. Depending on the site of the cancer, surgery traditionally involves removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix, accompanied with extensive node dissection throughout the pelvic cavity, and, in the case of ovarian cancer, removal of the omentum. Resection of pelvic lymph nodes and vessels, compounded by gravitational influences on lymphatic flow, can lead to lymphatic congestion that impairs mobility, raises intra-abdominal pressure, and increases abdominal and extremity girth. Lymphedema can be an indicator of recurrence and is frequently associated with toxicities such as skin breakdown, pain, neuropathy, and myopathy. Physical changes, role changes, and psychosocial issues are common symptoms reported by breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. Assessment and management strategies for upper extremity lymphedema following treatment of breast cancer cannot be directly transferred to lower extremity lymphedema affecting women with cancer of the ovary, cervix, uterus, and vulva because of limb size, volume, and location. Clinicians have anecdotally reported the presence of lower body lymphedema in many gynecologic cancer patients. Survivors have described tightness, swelling, and heaviness. Despite these clinical findings, no systematic study of lower body lymphedema in women with gynecologic cancer has been conducted. Whether lower body lymphedema is as debilitating and long-term as post-mastectomy lymphedema is not empirically known.

show abstract

A New Technique for Measuring Skin Changes of Patients with Chronic Postmastectomy Lymphedema

Abstract: The mechanical properties of skin change due to lymphedema. It is proposed that skin torsional rigidity may be a beneficial tool in the diagnosis of lymphedema.

Cited by 5 publications

References 4 publications

Lymph drainage studied by lymphoscintigraphy in the arms after sentinel node biopsy compared with axillary lymph node dissection following conservative breast cancer surgery

Lymph drainage studied by lymphoscintigraphy in the arms after sentinel node biopsy compared with axillary lymph node dissection following conservative breast cancer surgery

Arm Lymphedema as a Consequence of Breast Cancer Therapy

Lymphedema in Gynecologic Cancer Survivors

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About