Lymphatic disturbances in lipoedema

Resource type
Authors/contributors
Title
Lymphatic disturbances in lipoedema
Abstract
Aim: In pathophysiology of lipoedema, almost exclusively seen in women, lymphatic insufficiency might play a significant role. However, little is known about the pathophysiology of these abnormal localized depositions of body fat. We studied the involvement of the lymphatic system in lipoedema of the type Allen-Hines as well as of Typus Rusticanus Moncorps. Patients, methods: The standard (epifascial pathway) and a modified method (subcutaneous pathway) of lymphoscintigraphy was carried out with 28 patients suffering from lipoedema. Uptake percentages normalized to the injected dose were used as functional quantitative parameters. Visual assessment of both studies were done and scored. Patients with oedema of the legs because of venous insufficiency (Widmer stage II) served as a control group. Results: All patients of the control group and all patients with lipoedema of Typus Rusticanus Moncorps showed a normal standard lymphoscintigraphic study by visual scoring as well as by quantitative outcome. Lymph transport from the subcutaneous fat tissue was significant higher (p <0.012) in the group of patients with lipoedema diagnosed as type Allen-Hines than in Typus Rusticanus Moncorps. Conclusion: Epifascial lymph drainage in patients with lipoedema is not significantly disturbed. However, subcutaneous lymphatic drainage significantly differed in patients with lipoedema of type Rusticanus Moncorps in comparison with type AllenHines hinting at a differing lymphatic pathophysiology.
Publication
Phlebologie
Volume
32
Issue
06
Pages
138-142
Date
2003
Journal Abbr
Phlebologie
Language
en
ISSN
0939-978X, 2567-5826
Accessed
9/29/20, 12:58 AM
Library Catalog
DOI.org (Crossref)
Citation
van Geest, A. J., Esten, S. C. A. M., Cambier, J.-P. R. A., Gielen, E. G. J., Kessels, A., Neumann, H. A. M., & van Kroonenburgh, M. J. P. G. (2003). Lymphatic disturbances in lipoedema. Phlebologie, 32(06), 138–142. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1621466