A swelling caused by congestion of lymph in the tissues from obstruction of the lymphatic circulation due to inflammation, injury or tumour. See: LYMPHATIC SYSTEM.
Booklet: “Lymphoedema”, How the patient can alleviate symptoms. Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 20 Chiltern Hills Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks.
An abnormal accumulation of lymph in the tissues, which occurs when the normal drainage of lymph is disrupted (see lymphatic system). There are various causes. In the tropical disease filariasis, lymphatic vessels may be blocked by parasitic worms. Cancer can lead to lymphoedema if vessels become blocked by deposits of cancer cells. Surgical removal of lymph nodes under the arm or in the groin, or radiotherapy to an area containing lymph nodes, may also result in lymphoedema. Rarely, the condition is due to a congenital abnormality of the lymphatic vessels known as Milroy’s disease. In addition, the disorder may occur for no known cause.
Lymphoedema may develop in the arm following a radical mastectomy. Otherwise, it usually causes swelling of the legs, to an incapacitating degree in some people. There is no known cure. Treatment consists of taking diuretic drugs, massage, wearing an elastic bandage or compression sleeve, and special exercises; these measures may bring about some improvement.
Swelling of a part or organ due to obstruction to the LYMPH vessels draining it.
n. an accumulation of lymph in the tissues, producing swelling; the legs are most often affected. It may be due to a congenital abnormality of the lymphatic vessels (as in Milroy’s disease, congenital lymphoedema of the legs) or result from obstruction of the lymphatic vessels by a tumour, parasites, inflammation, or injury. Treatment consists of elastic support, by stockings or bandages, and diuretic drugs. A variety of surgical procedures has been devised but with little success.
(lymphography) n. X-ray examination of the lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes after a contrast medium has been injected into them (see angiography). Lymphatic vessels in the upper part of the foot are dissected and cannulated after injecting methylene blue into the web space to identify them. Then a viscous contrast medium (Lipiodol) is injected into them at a very slow rate. Its main uses are in the investigation of the extent and spread of cancer of the lymphatic system, the investigation of lymphoedema, and postoperative collection from lymphatic damage. Newer techniques involve injection of contrast medium directly into the lymph nodes (intranodal lymphangiography). Alternatively, the lymphatic system can be imaged using a gamma camera following the injection of a radioactive tracer. This examination has now largely been replaced by other *cross-sectional imaging techniques.... lymphangiography
n. inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, which can be seen most commonly as red streaks in the skin adjacent to a focus of streptococcal infection. Occasionally a more chronic form results in *lymphoedema. The infected part is rested and the infection can be eliminated by an antibiotic (e.g. penicillin).... lymphangitis
the first lymph node to show evidence of metastasis (spread) of a malignant tumour (e.g. breast cancer) via the lymphatic system. Absence of cancer cells in the sentinel node indicates that more distal lymph nodes will also be free of metastasis. In breast cancer, the change in practice to perform axillary lymph node dissection only if the sentinel node contains metastatic tumour has reduced the risk of arm lymphoedema. Similarly, in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, the sentinel lymph node procedure is used as an alternative to neck dissection.... sentinel lymph node
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