Lymphedema is due to a defect in lymphatic drainage which may be classified as two types; primary and secondary lymphedema. The authors experienced a case of lymphedema of lower lid and conjunctiva secondary to periorbital trauma and scar revision was done to reduce lymphedema. Lymphoscintigraphy was used to evaluate lymphatic obstruction and result was satisfactory for confirming the disease.
Cicatrix ; Conjunctiva ; Drainage ; Lymphedema* ; Lymphoscintigraphy*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphoscintigraphy* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Merkel Cell* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphoscintigraphy* ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

Currently, dissection of the axillary or regional lymph nodes is considered the standard staging procedure in breast cancer. However, accumulating evidence is becoming available that the sentinel node concept may provide the same or even better staging information. In the case of melanoma, it is proven that the histoiogical characteristics of the sentinel node reflect the histological characteristics of the distal part of the lymphatic basin. Morbidity can be reduced significantly by the use of sentinel node dissection as several authors have reported successful introduction of this technique into clinical practice. But in breast cancer patients, there are signigicant differences in practice relating to the technology, such as radiopharmaceuticals, injection sites, volume of injectate, combination with vital blue dye, preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, etc. Valuable reports on these topics appeared in recent journals. This review is a summary of those reports for nuclear physicians interested in sentinel node detection by lymphoscintigraphy in breast cancer patients.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphoscintigraphy ; Melanoma ; Radiopharmaceuticals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of manual lymph drainage (MLD) during lymphoscintigraphy (LS) in predicting the effect of complex physical therapy (CPT). METHOD: Forty seven patients were included in this study. MLD was done for 30 minutes after one hour LS image was obtained. 24 patients were followed up for 3~6 months. According to one hour LS image, patients were assigned to visible lymph node or lymphatic vessel group (Either group) and invisible lymph node and lymphatic vessel group (Neither group), and also according to LS changes after MLD, good and poor response group. The limb volume was checked before, and immediately after CPT, and at 1 month and 3~6 months after CPT. The treatment response was evaluated by percent volume reduction (PVR). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in volume reduction between Either group and Neither group. Otherwise, good response group showed significantly greater volume reduction after CPT than poor response group. Mean PVR in the good response group was 37.02% immediately after CPT, 41.2% at 1 month after CPT, and 47.4% at 3~6 months after CPT. Mean PVR in the poor response group was 19.22% immediately after CPT, 13.0% at 1 month after CPT, and 5.21% at 3~6 months after CPT. CONCLUSION: LS changes after MLD reflected the effects of CPT more accurately than one hour LS image.
Drainage* ; Extremities ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Lymphedema ; Lymphoscintigraphy*

BACKGROUND: In malignant melanoma, the regional nodal status is acknowledged as the most powerful indicator of prognosis. Sentinel lymph node status was formally adopted in 2002 AJCC melanoma staging system. However, there has been no clinical study on sentinel lymph node evaluation, especially using lymphoscintigraphy and gamma probe in melanoma patients in Korea. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the usefulness of lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe for the detection of sentinel lymph node in melanoma patients. METHODS: In eight malignant melanoma patients (7 stage I/II, 1 stage III), a lymphoscintigraphy with 99mTc-radiocolloids were injected peritumoral area and the identified first lymph node was considered to be a sentinel node. Once the sentinel lymph node was identified using a hand-held gamma probe for intraoperative mapping, it was excised. And the sentinel node was examined by routine hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical stain (HMB45, S-100). RESULTS: Sentinel nodes were identified in 8 patients all using lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe. Nine sentinel nodes were found in 8 patients, and sentinel lymph node biopsies showed micrometases in 5(55.5%). The location of sentinel nodes was that 3(33.3%) were located in axilla, and 6(66.6%) in groin. The case that had melanoma on back revealed dual lymphatic pathway with 2 sentinel nodes on axilla and inguinal area. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperative gamma-probe guided sentinel lymph node biopsy is useful for acute staging and prediction of prognosis for melanoma patients.
Axilla ; Biopsy ; Groin ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoscintigraphy* ; Melanoma* ; Prognosis ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy*

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.
Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Drainage ; Edema ; Extracellular Fluid ; Hand ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphedema* ; Lymphoscintigraphy ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node dissection is a new therapeutic strategy of malignant melanoma. There was no clinical study about sentinel lymph node dissection in Korea. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to analyze the results of the treatment of malignant melanoma using sentinel lymph node dissection and to compare sentinel lymph node dissection with elective lymph node dissection. METHODS: History of 9 cases with malignant melanoma(1 case treated with elective lymph node dissection and 8 cases treated with sentinel lymph node dissection) at our institution over 2 years were reviewed. We evaluated the clinical & histopathologic data, status of sentinel lymph node and results of treatment. RESULTS: Sentinel lymph nodes were located within the regional lymph node basins in all 8 cases of extremity melanoma, except 1 case(trunk melanoma). Of 8 cases treated with sentinel lymph node dissection, the number of sentinel lymph node was 11, and positive lymph nodes was 3. Patients with positive sentinel lymph node were treated with therapeutic regional lymphadenectomy, chemotherapy and adjuvant therapy. No further treatment or only interferon administration was done in patients with negative sentinel lymph node. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the usefulness of lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymph node dissection using vital dye staining in the diagnosis and treatment of lymph node metastasis of melanoma.
Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Extremities ; Humans ; Interferons ; Korea ; Lymph Node Excision* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphoscintigraphy ; Melanoma* ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Yellow nail syndrome is a rare cause of pleural effusions. This syndrome is characterized by yellow discoloration of nails, lymphedema, and respiratory disorders, including pleural effusion, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and chronic sinusitis. The etiology of this syndrome is obscure, but the pathogenesis seems to be related with impaired lymphatic drainage. We report a case of yellow nail syndrome in a 70-year-old female with the typical clinical findings (yellow discoloration of nails, lymphedema, and chronic pleural effusion) of this disorder and with proven lymphatic obstruction on lymphoscintigraphy.
Aged ; Bronchiectasis ; Bronchitis, Chronic ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphedema ; Lymphoscintigraphy ; Nails ; Pleural Effusion ; Sinusitis ; Yellow Nail Syndrome

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) using subareolar injection of radioactive material in breast cancer. METHODS: The prospective study was performed of 112 breast cancers (T1 or T2 stages) at Ewha Womans University Mok-Dong Hospital from February 2001 to June 2003. Patients underwent lymphoscintigraphy using 99mTc sulfur colloid. The feasibility of SNB was assessed through comparison with simultaneous axillary node dissection. RESULTS: All patients were women, and the median age was 46 years. Internal mammary sentinel lymph node was identified in 2 cases (1.8%). The first node was appeared on lymphoscintigraphy around at 10.7 minutes after subareolar injection. Sentinel nodes could be identified in 111 (99.1%) among 112 patients with a gamma probe. The mean number of harvested sentinel nodes were 3.3 and metastasis was noted 80 of 368 nodes (21.7%). False negative rate was 4.1%. CONCLUSION: SNB using subareolar injection of radioactive material could be a alternative method to replace axillary node dissection in T1 or T2 breast cancers, especially in case of clinical node negative patients.
Biopsy* ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Colloids ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoscintigraphy ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prospective Studies ; Sulfur