Abstract
Primary lymphedema of the lower limbs is a progressive and severely invalidating condition. In an atempt to study the basis for, and improve a method of surgical drainage of the lymphatic pathways, in 20 patients the regional lymph nodes were examined. In 5 of them important histopathologic changes were found. These were sponge-like malformation of the lymphatic channels and/or marked hyperplasia of the smooth muscle arround the vessels. As part of the clinical investigation several techniques were used to contrast the lymphatic pathways, the best of which was found to be scintigraphy with Au. 198. The surgical procedure was some form of lympho-venous anastomosis. Five patients are considered to be cured, 9 have improved markedly, in 3 the disease has not progressed so far, and another 3 were lost to follow up.
The clinico-pathologic knowledge obtained offers a new and promising approach to a complex area of pediatric pathology.
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Papendieck, C., Blanca, D. & Becú, L. 50 LYMPH NODE STRUCTURE IN PRIMARY PROGRESSIVE LYMPHEDEMA OF THE LOWER LIMBS. Pediatr Res 15, 191 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198102000-00107
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198102000-00107
