Lymphedema Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Author:
Pyoung Nam KIM
1
;
Dong Wook KIM
;
Tae Hwan KIM
;
Seung Young KIM
;
Jae Bum JUN
;
Sung Soo JUNG
;
In Hong LEE
;
Sang Cheol BAE
;
Kyung Bin JOO
;
Seong Yoon KIM
Author Information
1. Rheumatism Center, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Mecidine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Rheumatoid arthritis;
lymphedema
- MeSH:
Arthritis;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid*;
Drainage;
Edema;
Extracellular Fluid;
Hand;
Humans;
Lymph Nodes;
Lymphedema*;
Lymphoscintigraphy;
Upper Extremity
- From:The Journal of the Korean Rheumatism Association
1995;2(1):28-33
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical manifestations and causes of upper limb edema in 8 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Eight patients with upper limb edema in association with rheumatoid arthritis were investigated for their clinical manifestations and assessment of lymphatic function with lymphoscintigrphy. In lymphoscintigraphy, 99mTc-Human serum albumin((0.3ml, 1.0mci) was injected subcutaneously into the second web space of each hand. Images were obtained over injetion site and both axillary regions at Ohr and 2hr post-injection. The visualization of axillary lymph node and the percentage uptake of isotope in the axillary regions were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients except one have unilateral upper limb edema and showed no relation between lymphedema and either activity or duration of arthritis. Six of eight cases were found to have impaired lymph drainage and two cases showed normal lymphatic function. CONCLUSION: This study describes lymphedema in patients with rheumatoid arthritis due to impaired lymphatic function and a relatively rapid production of interstitial fluid.
