| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Bourghardt Peebo, Beatrice, et al.
(author)
-
An in Vivo Method for Visualizing Flow Dynamics of Cells within Corneal Lymphatics
- 2013
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 11:2, s. 93-100
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Monitoring the trafficking of specific cell populations within lymphatics could improve our understanding of processes such as transplant rejection and cancer metastasis. Current methods, however, lack appropriate image resolution for single-cell analysis or are incompatible with in vivo and longitudinal monitoring of lymphatics in their native state. We therefore sought to achieve high-resolution live imaging of the dynamic behavior of cells within lymph vessels in the rat cornea.Methods/Results: Inflammatory angiogenesis was induced by suture placement in corneas of Wistar rats. Pre- and up to 3 weeks post-induction, corneas were noninvasively examined by laser-scanning in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCM) using only endogenous contrast. Lymph vessels and the cells harbored therein were documented by still images, real-time video, and 3D confocal stack reconstruction of live tissue. In vivo, conjunctival and corneal lymphatics were morphologically distinct, those with corneal location being one-quarter the diameter of those in the conjunctiva (p<0.001). Cells were recruited to initially empty pre-existing lymph vessels during the first day of inflammation and maintained a dense occupation of vessels for up to 7 days. A diverse population of cells (diameter range: 1.5–27.5 μm) with varying morphology was observed, and exhibited variable flow patterns and were transported singly and in clusters of at least 2–9 adherent cells.Conclusions: The in vivo microscopic technique presented enables lymph vessels and cell trafficking to be studied in high resolution in a minimally-perturbed physiologic milieu.
|
|
| 3. |
- Brorson, Håkan, et al.
(author)
-
Breast Cancer-Related Chronic Arm Lymphedema Is Associated with Excess Adipose and Muscle Tissue.
- 2009
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract Background: Arm lymphedema is a common complication after breast cancer treatment. Although conservative treatment can be used to reduce swelling, treatment often fails, possibly due to chronic edema being transformed from lymph fluid to subcutaneous fat, a condition called nonpitting lymphedema. It is currently unknown if the excess volume is solely due to excess in fat. This study evaluated whether dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) could be used to estimate the excess fat, muscle, and bone tissue in patients with arm lymphedema. Methods and Results: Eighteen women with arm lymphedema were investigated. Measurements were converted to volume values and compared with values obtained using plethysmography (PG). Linear regression equations and correlation equations were used to compare the DXA and the PG techniques in regard to total volume and excess volume in the lymphedematous arm. DXA was used to estimate excess fat, muscle, and bone volume in the lymphedematous arm. Both DXA and PG provided similar total arm volume and excess volume measurements for the lymphedematous arm. The lymphedematous arm showed 73% more fat, 47% more muscle, and 7% more bone by volume in the lymphedematous arm. Conclusions: Both excess fat and muscle volume contributed to the total excess volume in nonpitting arm lymphedema; excess soft tissue developed the first few years after breast cancer surgery. DXA can be used to identify patients with excess fat in their arms and thus unsuitable for conservative treatment and may be useful in estimating the amount of fat to remove in patients scheduled for liposuction.
|
|
| 4. |
- Brorson, Håkan, et al.
(author)
-
Development of a pressure-measuring device to optimize compression treatment of lymphedema and evaluation of change in garment pressure with simulated wear and tear.
- 2012
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 10:2, s. 74-80
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The use of compression garments in treating lymphedema following treatment of genital (penis, testes, uterus, cervical) and breast cancer treatment is a well-established practice. Although compression garments are classified in compression classes, little is known about the actual subgarment pressure exerted along the extremity. The aims of this study were to establish an in vitro method for measuring subgarment pressure along the extremity and to analyze initial and over time subgarment pressure of compression garments from three manufacturers. The measurements were performed with I-scan(®) (Tekscan Inc.) pressure measuring equipment once a week during a period of 4 weeks. Wear and tear was simulated by washing and putting on the garments on plastic legs every day. There was a statistically significant difference between the garments of some of manufacturers. There was no difference between garments from the same manufacturer. No significant decrease of subgarment pressure was observed during the trial period. The study demonstrated that Tekscan pressure-measuring equipment could measure subgarment pressure in vitro. The results may indicate that there was a difference in subgarment pressure exerted by garments from different manufacturers and that there was no clear decrease in subgarment pressure during the first four weeks of usage.
|
|
| 5. |
- Buendia, Ruben, 1982, et al.
(author)
-
Estimation of Arm Adipose Tissue Quotient Using Segmental Bioimpedance Spectroscopy
- 2018
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1557-8585 .- 1539-6851. ; 16:4, s. 377-384
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a chronic condition characterized by accumulation of lymph fluid that may subsequently become fibrotic with infiltration of adipose tissue. Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is the preferred method for early detection of lymphedema as it can estimate extracellular lymph fluid. This study developed a modified impedance technique that concurrently estimates both lymph accumulation and increases in adipose tissue. Methods and Results: BIS was used to estimate the adipose tissue volume in a cohort of healthy women (n=171), which was found to be highly correlated (r>0.87) with measurements of adipose tissue obtained using the reference method of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In a separate cohort of women with BCRL (n=16), adipose volumes measured by BIS and reference method, respectively, were 2452.9933.3mL and 2109.1 +/- 824 6mL for affected arms; 1770.9 +/- 747.8mL and 1801.4 +/- 775.7mL for unaffected arms; and comparable values for a group of age-matched controls were 1862.5 +/- 661.6mL and 1657.0 +/- 641.1mL for age-matched control arms. The increase in adipose tissue in affected arms was significant irrespective of the method of measurement, p<0.02 and p<0.001 for BIS and DXA, respectively. Conclusions: An impedance method is described that can estimate increase both in lymph accumulation and adipose tissue in breast cancer-related lymphedema.
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
- Hagren, Agneta, et al.
(author)
-
Test-Retest Reliability of Local Tissue Water and Circumference Measurements in the Head and Neck Area of Healthy Women and Men
- 2023
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 21:4, s. 381-387
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Measurements of local tissue water and circumferences are methods to evaluate lymphedema. Knowledge about reference values and reproducibility needs, however, to be determined for the head and neck (HN) area of healthy persons before it can be used in persons with HN lymphedema. The objective of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability including measurement errors of local tissue water and neck circumference measurements (CM) in the HN area in a healthy cohort. Methods and Results: Thirty-one women and 29 men were measured on 2 occasions, 14 days apart. The percentage of tissue water content (PWC) were calculated in four facial points and neck CM at three levels. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), changes in mean, standard error of measurement (SEM%), and smallest real difference (SRD%) were calculated. Reliability for PWC was fair to excellent for both women (ICC 0.67-0.89) and men (ICC 0.71-0.87). Measurement errors were acceptable in all points in both women (SEM% 3.6%-6.4%, SRD% 9.9%-17.7%) and men (SEM% 5.1%-10.9%, SRD% 14.2%-30.3%). For the CM, ICCs were excellent both for women (ICC 0.85-0.90) and men (ICC 0.92-0.94), and measurement errors were low (SEM% for women 1.9%-2.1%, SRD% 5.1%-5.9%; SEM% for men 1.6%-2.0%, SRD% 4.6%-5.6%). Most of the lowest values were found close to bone and vessels. Conclusion: Measurements for PWC and CM in the HN area are reliable in healthy women and men, with acceptable to low measurement errors. PWC points close to bony structures and vessels should, however, be used with caution.
|
|
| 8. |
- Hoffner, Mattias, et al.
(author)
-
Lymphedema Leads to Fat Deposition in Muscle and Decreased Muscle/Water Volume After Liposuction : A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
- 2018
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 16:2, s. 174-181
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Lymphedema leads to adipose tissue deposition. Water-fat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can quantify and localize fat and water. The presence of excess fat and excess water/muscle in the subfascial compartment of the lymphedematous limb has not been investigated before. The aim of this study was to investigate epifascial and subfascial fat and water contents in patients with chronic lymphedema before and after liposuction.METHODS AND RESULTS: Seven patients with arm lymphedema and six with leg lymphedema were operated on. The limbs were examined with water-fat MRI before liposuction (baseline) and at five time points. Complete reduction of the excess limb volumes was achieved. The excess epifascial fat was evident in the edematous limbs and a drop was seen following surgery. There were differences in excess water at all time points. At 1 year there was a decrease in excess water. Excess subfascial fat was seen in the edematous limbs at all time points. Subfascial excess water/muscle did not show any differences after surgery. However, starting from 3 months there was less subfascial water/muscle compared with baseline.CONCLUSIONS: Subfascial fat in the lymphedematous limbs did not change. In contrast, the water in the subfascial compartment was reduced over time, which may represent a decrease of muscle volume after treatment due to less mechanical load after liposuction. Using water-fat MRI-based fat quantification, the fat and water contents may be quantified and localized in the various compartments in lymphedema.
|
|
| 9. |
- Hoffner, Mattias, et al.
(author)
-
SF-36 Shows Increased Quality of Life Following Complete Reduction of Postmastectomy Lymphedema with Liposuction
- 2017
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 15:1, s. 87-98
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Arm lymphedema after breast cancer surgery affects women both from physical and psychological points of view. Lymphedema leads to adipose tissue deposition. Liposuction and controlled compression therapy (CCT) reduces the lymphedema completely. Methods and Results: Sixty female patients with arm lymphedema were followed for a 1-year period after surgery. The 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Patients completed the SF-36 questionnaire before liposuction, and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Preoperative excess arm volume was 1365 +/- 73mL. Complete reduction was achieved after 3 months and was sustained during follow-up. The adipose tissue volume removed at surgery was 1373 +/- 56mL. One month after liposuction, better scores were found in mental health. After 3 months, an increase in physical functioning, bodily pain, and vitality was detected. After 1 year, an increase was also seen for social functioning. The physical component score was higher at 3 months and thereafter, while the mental component score was improved at 3 and 12 months. Compared with SF-36 norm data for the Swedish population, only physical functioning showed lower values than the norm at baseline. After liposuction, general health, bodily pain, vitality, mental health, and social functioning showed higher values at various time points. Conclusions: Liposuction of arm lymphedema in combination with CCT improves patients HRQoL as measured with SF-36. The treatment seems to target and improve both the physical and mental health domains.
|
|
| 10. |
- Johansson, Karin, et al.
(author)
-
Axillary Web Syndrome : Evidence for Lymphatic Origin with Thrombosis
- 2020
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 18:4, s. 329-332
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The axillary web syndrome (AWS) occurs in the axilla and on the frontal side of the upper arm and sometimes along the forearm to the thumb. The cord is painful, particularly on movement, and can therefore be very distressing for the patient. Although the phenomenon has been examined and discussed for decades, no evidence for the origin has been found until now. The aim of this study was to perform a histopathologic analysis of cords taken between 1996 and 1998 in the Surgical Clinic, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. Methods and Results: In seven patients, biopsies of the AWS cords were obtained 4-5 weeks after axillary node surgery for breast cancer and examined with standard hematoxylin and eosin and D2-40 (lymphatic endothelial cell) staining. In one biopsy, there was a dilated vessel with a thickened wall, which was confirmed by D2-40 immunostaining to represent a lymphatic vessel. The lumen was occluded by organized thrombus, within which new vessels were being formed, indicating recanalization. In two other biopsies, similar lymphatic vessels with thickened walls were present, although the lumen of the vessels was not visualized in the planes of the section. The other four biopsies do not show specific features. Conclusion: Although only one case, this is the first pathological evidence of thrombosis within a confirmed lymphatic vessel from a case of cording. We propose that the axillary cord represents lymphatic vessel thrombosis. Recanalization of the thrombus may eventually restore lymphatic flow consistent with the transient nature of the condition.
|
|
| 11. |
- Johansson, Karin, et al.
(author)
-
Compression Treatment of Breast Edema : A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
- 2020
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 18:2, s. 129-135
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Patients treated for breast cancer with breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy (RT) often complain about swelling, heaviness, and pain in the treated breast. This pilot study was undertaken to examine if compression therapy was effective as an early treatment to reduce breast edema and symptoms assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Methods and Results: Fifty-six breast cancer-treated women with breast edema, diagnosed by the measurement of tissue water content by tissue dielectric constant (TDC) technique 3 months post-RT, were randomized to either an intervention group, wearing a sports bra of compression type, or a control group, wearing a standard bra daily for 9 months when tissue water content in breast, upper arm, and lateral thorax of the operated side, and symptoms assessed by VAS were evaluated. No differences were found between the groups at start or end of study concerning tissue water content or VAS. However, within both groups, a significant reduction in tissue water content and experience of heaviness was found. Conclusion: Breast edema as well as experience of heaviness in the affected breast found at 3 months post-RT decreased after 9 months independent of whether a sports bra of compression type or a standard bra was used.
|
|
| 12. |
- Jönsson, Charlotta, et al.
(author)
-
Circumferential Measurements to Calculate Lower Limb Volume in Persons with Lymphedema : What Segment Length Is to Be Recommended?
- 2023
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 21:3, s. 275-282
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Circumferential measurements (CMs) every 4th cm are commonly used to assess lower limb volume (LLV), but fewer measurements would be less time-consuming. The aim of this study was therefore to establish the agreement between LLV measurements derived from CM every 4th cm (V4), 8th cm (V8), and 12th cm (V12), and to evaluate the intrarater test-retest reliability for each of the three measurement methods in persons with lower limb lymphedema (LLL). Methods and Results: Forty-two persons with unilateral or bilateral LLL were measured twice, 2 weeks apart. Volume measurements for the V4, V8, and V12 methods were derived using CM. The agreement was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3.1) and Bland-Altman graphs including 95% limits of agreement (LOA). The reliability was evaluated using ICC2.1 and standard error of measurement (SEM%) and smallest real difference (SRD%). The agreement was high for the V4 and V8 methods (ICC 0.999), and for the V4 and V12 methods (ICC 0.998). The graphs revealed slightly higher agreement between the V4 and V8 than between the V4 and V12 methods visualized by the 95% LOA (-117 to 62 and -236 to 132 mL, respectively). For all three measurement methods, the test-retest reliability was high (ICC 0.993-0.995) and the measurement error low (SEM%: 1.2%-1.4% and SRD%: 3.4%-3.8%). Conclusions: The higher agreement between the V4 and V8 methods than between V4 and V12, and the high test-retest reliability in LLV measurements support the V8 method to replace the V4 method in persons with LLL.
|
|
| 13. |
- Jönsson, Charlotta, et al.
(author)
-
Test-Retest Reliability of Volume and Local Tissue Water Measurements in Lower Limbs of Healthy Women and Men
- 2020
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 18:3, s. 261-269
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Measurements of lower limb (LL) volume and local tissue water by tissue dielectric constant (TDC) are common in lymphedema management. Knowledge of normal variability in health subjects is important and can serve as a base for early lymphedema diagnosis but is currently lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate test-retest reliability of LL volume and TDC values in healthy women and men. Methods and Results: Thirty-three women and 28 men were measured twice, 2 weeks apart. Volume was calculated from circumferential measurements every 4 cm and TDC in 14 points. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), changes in the mean, standard error of measurement in percentage (SEM%), and smallest real difference in percentage (SRD%). For volume, reliability was high (ICC 0.99) and measurement errors were low in both women and men (SEM%: 1.1%-1.3%; SRD%: 3.1%-3.6%). For TDC, reliability was fair to excellent in women (ICC 0.63-0.93) and poor to excellent in men (ICC 0.21-0.89). Measurement errors were acceptable in all points in women (SEM%: 3.9%-10.2%; SRD% 10.8%-28.2%), but only in 11 points in men (SEM%: 3.9%-14.5%; SRD%: 10.9%-40.1%). The points close to bone and tendons in men had lower reliability and higher measurement errors. Conclusion: Measurements of LL volume and TDC are reliable in healthy women and men; both methods can be recommended. However, TDC points close to bone and tendons in men should be used with caution.
|
|
| 14. |
- Karlsson, Katarina, et al.
(author)
-
Palpation of Increased Skin and Subcutaneous Thickness, Tissue Dielectric Constant, and Water Displacement Method for Diagnosis of Early Mild Arm Lymphedema
- 2020
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 18:3, s. 219-225
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Early diagnosis of mild lymphedema and treatment are important to prevent its progress. The tissue dielectric constant (TDC), measuring local tissue water in the skin and upper subcutis, has neither been related to the water displacement method (WDM) nor been used to diagnose mild arm lymphedema in patients at risk. Our aims were to evaluate TDC and WDM in combination with palpation, examine the association between TDC and WDM measurements, and compare lymphedema-related factors. Methods and Results: Seventy-two women treated for breast cancer were diagnosed with mild arm lymphedema using skin palpation in combination with TDC from fixed measurement sites (threshold ratio for upper arm ≥1.45 and forearm ≥1.3) and/or WDM (lymphedema relative volume [LRV]: ≥5% to ≤8%). Results revealed that 32 (45%) women were diagnosed by TDC only, 19 (26%) by WDM only, and 21 (29%) by both TDC and WDM. TDC ratios exceeding the threshold were most frequently identified on the medial site of the arm, proximal and distal to the antecubital fossa. TDC and WDM were negatively associated; LRV (r = -0.545, p < 0.001). The women diagnosed by TDC only were diagnosed earlier after surgery (p = 0.003) and had a lower LRV (1.3%) than those diagnosed by WDM only (6.3%) or both TDC and WDM (6.2%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: TDC and WDM can be used together for early diagnosis of arm lymphedema, but TDC is the most valid method, determining the diagnosis earlier after surgery and at a lower arm volume than WDM.
|
|
| 15. |
- Karlsson, Katarina, et al.
(author)
-
Tissue Dielectric Constant and Water Displacement Method can detect changes of mild Breast cancer-related arm lymphedema.
- 2022
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 20:3, s. 325-334
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Most commonly, volume measurements are used to evaluate the effect of lymphedema treatment, but as the accumulation of lymph fluid can be local, this method may not always be the best. Tissue dielectric constant (TDC) can be applied to identify local lymphedema changes, but has not been used before when evaluating treatment in mild arm lymphedema. Thus, the overall aim of this study was to examine if TDC and water displacement method (WDM) can measure changes in mild breast cancer-related lymphedema during the 6-month standard treatment. More specifically, we examined changes within and between three defined groups based on lymphedema thresholds of TDC and WDM at start of treatment, as well as changes of the highest TDC ratio and site.Methods and Results: Forty-six women with mild arm lymphedema, received treatment with compression sleeves, mostly ccl 1, and instructions about self-care. Local tissue water was measured by TDC at six defined sites and lymphedema relative volume (LRV) by WDM before treatment and at first, second, third, and sixth month. There was a significant decrease in the site with the highest TDC ratio, as well as LRV at all follow-up visits. At 6 months, TDC ratio had decreased mean 0.26 (p
|
|
| 16. |
- Karlsson, Tobias, et al.
(author)
-
Liposuction of Breast Cancer: Related Arm Lymphedema Reduces Fat and Muscle Hypertrophy
- 2022
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 20:1, s. 53-63
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Adipose tissue deposition is a known consequence of lymphedema. A previous study showed that the affected arm in patients with nonpitting breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) had a mean excess volume of 73% fat and 47% muscle. This condition impairs combined physiotherapy as well as more advanced microsurgical methods. Liposuction is, therefore, a way of improving the effects of treatment. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the tissue changes in lymphedematous arms after liposuction and controlled compression therapy (CCT) in patients with nonpitting BCRL. Methods and Results: Eighteen women with an age of 61 years and a duration of arm lymphedema (BCRL) of 9 years were treated with liposuction and CCT. Tissue composition of fat, lean (muscle), and bone mineral was analyzed through dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before, and at 3 and 12 months after surgery. Excess volumes were also measured with plethysmography. The median DXA preoperative excess volume was 1425 mL (704 mL fat volume, 651 mL lean volume). The DXA excess volume at 3 months after surgery was 193 mL (-196 mL fat volume, 362 mL lean volume). At 12 months after surgery, the median excess DXA volume was 2 mL (-269 mL fat volume, 338 mL lean volume). From before surgery to 3 months after surgery, the median DXA excess volume reduced by 85% (p < 0.001) (fat volume reduction 128% (p < 0.001), lean volume reduction 37% (p = 0.016)). From before surgery to 12 months after surgery, it reduced by 100% (p < 0.001) (fat volume reduction 139% [p < 0.001], lean volume reduction 54% [p = 0.0013]). Conclusions: Liposuction and CCT effectively remove the excess fat in patients with nonpitting BCRL, and a total reduction of excess arm volume is achievable. A postoperative decrease in excess muscle volume is also seen, probably due to the reduced weight of the arm postoperatively.
|
|
| 17. |
- Klernäs, Pia, et al.
(author)
-
Quality of Life Improvements in Patients with Lymphedema After Surgical or Nonsurgical Interventions with 1-Year Follow-Up
- 2020
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 18:4, s. 340-350
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Lymphedema may impact patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate HRQoL after two different treatments to the 12-month follow-up point. Methods and Results: Study participants were patients with moderate lymphedema in the upper or lower limb who attended a Swedish rehabilitation program (RP) undergoing conservative treatment, or those with severe, chronic lymphedema dominated by excess adipose tissue, who underwent liposuction (LS) combined with controlled compression therapy (CCT) in Australia, Scotland, or Sweden. The patients completed the Lymphedema Quality of Life Inventory (LyQLI) before intervention and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Mean values and standard deviations were calculated for total limb volume and excess limb volume. Mean values were also calculated for the three LyQLI domains (physical, psychosocial, and practical). To detect and analyze differences in LyQLI responses in the three domains, the Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed. In the RP, 18 eligible patients completed the LyQLI. The results show improvements in HRQoL in physical (p = 0.003) and psychosocial domains (p = 0.002) at 1 month after the RP, with results remaining steady for 12 months for the physical domain (p = 0.024). Fifty-seven eligible LS patients completed the LyQLI. The results show improvements in HRQoL in all three domains (p < 0.001), with results remaining steady up to the 12-month follow-up (p < 0.001). The total volume in affected limb and the excess volume decreased significantly in both patient groups 1 month after intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Treatment with a conservative RP in moderate lymphedema or with LS combined with CCT in severe lymphedema improves HRQoL.
|
|
| 18. |
- Klernäs, Pia, et al.
(author)
-
Test of Responsiveness and Sensitivity of the Questionnaire "lymphedema Quality of Life Inventory"
- 2018
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 16:3, s. 300-308
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Lymphedema may affect patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and thus a disease-specific questionnaire is needed. The Lymphedema Quality of life Inventory (LyQLI) has been tested for reliability and validity. The purpose of this study was to test the LyQLI for responsiveness and sensitivity. Methods and Results: The study participants were patients with lymphedema in the upper or lower limb, attending a Swedish rehabilitation program (RP) and undergoing conservative treatment without surgery (RP-sample), or undergoing liposuction (LS) in Australia, Scotland, and Sweden (LS-sample). Mean values for the three LyQLI domains (physical, psychosocial, and practical) were calculated before and 1 month after intervention, and the paired t-Test was used to detect group differences. Responsiveness was calculated using standardized response mean (SRM), and sensitivity was analyzed with box plots and an independent t-Test to detect group differences. Eighteen patients in the RP-sample and 50 in the LS-sample were studied, and both samples demonstrated increased HRQoL after intervention. The changes were significant in all domains, except for the practical domain in the RP-sample. The SRM for the three LyQLI domains (physical, psychosocial, and practical) were 0.8, 0.8, and 0.4, respectively, in the RP-sample and 0.7, 1.2, and 0.9 in the LS-sample. Statistical testing indicated that the LyQLI was sensitive enough to reveal differences between patient groups. Conclusions: LyQLI responsiveness and sensitivity indicated that the tool can be used to evaluate patients undergoing conservative or surgical lymphedema treatments.
|
|
| 19. |
- Lahtinen, Tapani, et al.
(author)
-
Experimental and Analytical Comparisons of Tissue Dielectric Constant (TDC) and Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) in Assessment of Early Arm Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients after Axillary Surgery and Radiotherapy
- 2015
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 13:3, s. 176-185
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Early diagnosis of breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema (BCRL) is of great importance for longstanding treatment results. Tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) both have a potential for early diagnosis, but have not been compared. Methods and Results: One hundred women, treated for breast cancer with breast surgery, axillary dissection, and radiotherapy, were examined within one year after breast cancer treatment, as part of the follow-up procedure. Affected/at-risk and contralateral arms were measured with the TDC technique specific to localized skin water content and the BIS technique assessing arm extracellular fluid (ECF). Thirty-eight patients were clinically diagnosed for lymphedema (38.0%). The sensitivity and specificity for the TDC method were 65.8% and 83.9%, and for BIS method 42.1% and 93.5%, (p<0.001 and NS), respectively. Of all lymphedema, 18.4% were detected only by TDC and 2.6% by BIS. Affected arm to contralateral arm TDC ratios for upper arm and forearm, 1.560.49 and 1.28 +/- 0.33, demonstrating the localized feature of the TDC measurements were significantly greater than the BIS arm ratio 1.12 +/- 0.12 (both p<0.001). Conclusions: Discrepancies between TDC and BIS techniques in assessing lymphedema are related to different measurement techniques and assessed tissue water components. Independently of selected technique-specific threshold limit, the TDC technique was more sensitive than the BIS technique in the early assessment of BCRL and demonstrated that nearly 20% of early lymphedema are only superficially localized. The results further supported the complementary role of TDC and arm volume measurements as a highly diagnostic method for early lymphedema.
|
|
| 20. |
- Trinh, Lena, et al.
(author)
-
Assessment of Subfascial Muscle/Water and Fat Accumulation in Lymphedema Patients Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- 2019
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 17:3, s. 340-346
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In patients with arm or leg lymphedema, more fat has been found in the epifascial compartment of the edematous limb compared to the healthy limb. However, not much is known about subfascial fat accumulation in these patients. This study aims to investigate the intramuscular and intermuscular fat and muscle/water volume in lymphedema patients. The excess of intramuscular and intermuscular fat volume was also compared to the excess epifascial fat volume, the excess limb volume, and the duration of lymphedema. Methods and Results: Data from 13 patients (seven arm and six leg lymphedemas) were acquired using a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner before liposuction and at five time points (4 days, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year) after liposuction. From water-fat imaging, fat and muscle/water volumes within the intramuscular and intermuscular compartments were calculated. The relative excess volume was defined as (volume of edematous limb-volume of healthy limb)/volume of healthy limb. Elevated relative excess volumes of intramuscular and intermuscular fat were found at all time points. A decrease in the relative excess volume of muscle/water over time was found. This decrease was not correlated to the relative excess of epifascial fat volume, the relative excess of limb volume, or the duration of lymphedema. Conclusions: An excess fat volume was found in the intramuscular and intermuscular compartments in lymphedema patients. The results suggest that the subfascial compartment needs to be studied separately as no correlation between intramuscular/intermuscular fat accumulation and other measured parameters was found.
|
|
| 21. |
- Öhberg, Fredrik, et al.
(author)
-
Three-Dimensional Camera System for Measuring Arm Volume in Women with Lymphedema Following Breast Cancer Treatment
- 2014
-
In: Lymphatic Research and Biology. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1539-6851 .- 1557-8585. ; 12:4, s. 267-274
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Lymphedema is a common complication following breast cancer treatment, estimated to affect 20% of breast cancer survivors. The condition is associated with a number of symptoms, such as impaired range of motion and anxiety. A wide range of methods for determining the volume of the lymphedematous arm have been described. Circumference measurement (CM) is commonly used in clinics to appraise arm volume, while water displacement (WD) is often used in studies. The aim of the study was to assess the performance of a new method using 3D-technology in comparison to CM and WD. Methods and Results: The study was performed on 25 subjects with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment. Volumetric data from CM, WD, and the 3D-camera were gathered on all subjects. The measurements were performed by two physiotherapists, each subject being measured by one of the physiotherapist. Estimates of differences between the methods was calculated through analyzing the data collected from the three methods using mixed-design analyses of variance. The results indicated a tendency for the 3D-camera to overestimate the volume in comparison the WD by 45.25 mL, 95% confidence interval (CI) -36.31 - 126.82 (p value 0.270). Conversely, CM showed a tendency to underestimate the volume compared to WD (-24.28 mL, CI -99.78 - 51.22, p value 0.521). Thus, no statistically significant difference was found between the methods. Conclusions: The 3D-camera is a viable method for measuring arm volume, performing on level with the established methods WD and CM.
|
|
| 22. |
|
|
