Primary Lymphedema of the Lower Limb: The Clinical Utility of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography/CT.
10.3348/kjr.2015.16.1.188
- Author:
Mayo WEISS
1
;
Ruediger GH BAUMEISTER
;
Andreas FRICK
;
Jens WALLMICHRATH
;
Peter BARTENSTEIN
;
Axel ROMINGER
Author Information
1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Muenchen D-81377, Germany. mayo.weiss@med.uni-muenchen.de
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Lymphoscintigraphy;
SPECT/CT;
Hybrid imaging;
Lymphedema;
Dermal backflow
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Female;
Humans;
Lower Extremity/anatomy & histology/*radiography;
Lymphatic Vessels/radiography;
Lymphedema/*diagnosis/radiography;
Lymphoscintigraphy;
Middle Aged;
Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use;
Retrospective Studies;
Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- From:Korean Journal of Radiology
2015;16(1):188-195
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether the additional use of the single photon emission computed tomography/CT (SPECT/CT) technique improves the diagnostic value of planar lymphoscintigraphy in patients presenting with primary lymph edema of the lower limb. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For a defined period of three years (April 2011-April 2014) a total of 34 consecutive patients (28 females; age range, 27-83 years) presenting with swelling of the leg(s) suspicious of (uni- or bilateral, proximal or distal) primary lymphedema were prospectively examined by planar lymphoscintigraphy (lower limbs, n = 67) and the tomographic SPECT/CT technique (anatomical sides, n = 65). RESULTS: In comparison to pathological planar scintigraphic findings, the addition of SPECT/CT provided relevant additional information regarding the presence of dermal backflow (86%), the anatomical extent of lymphatic disorders (64%), the presence or absence of lymph nodes (46%), and the visualization of lymph vessels (4%). CONCLUSION: As an adjunct to planar lymphoscintigraphy, SPECT/CT specifies the anatomical correlation of lymphatic disorders and thus improves assessment of the extent of pathology due to the particular advantages of tomographic separation of overlapping sources. The interpretation of scintigraphic data benefits not only in baseline diagnosis, but also in physiotherapeutical and microsurgical treatments of primary lymphedema.
