Skin Layer Thickness and Shear Wave Elastography Changes Induced by Intensive Decongestive Treatment of Lower Limb Lymphedema.

ABSTRACT: Background: A detailed quantitative evaluation would be beneficial for management of patients with limb lymphedema. Methods and Results: In 47 patients with lower limb lymphedema at International Society of Lymphology clinical stage 2A (18 limbs), 2B (41 limbs), and 3 (13 limbs), we measured the limb circumference and thickness of epidermis, dermis, and subcutis layers with B-mode ultrasonography and subcutis elastic modulus with ultrafast shear wave velocity (ultrasound elastography) at 5 anatomical levels (M1 to M5) before and after a 3- to 5-day intensive decongestive therapy (IDT) session. Limb circumference and thickness of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutis were greater in the 72 limbs with lymphedema than in the 22 unaffected limbs before and after IDT.

SUBMITTER: Zarrad M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8892981 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature