Articles

PRIMARY LYMPHEDEMA OF THE LEG: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE PRESSURE, INTRAMUSCULAR PRESSURE AND VENOUS FUNCTION

Authors
  • JT Christenson
  • MM Hamad
  • NJ Shawa

Abstract

In eight patients with unilateral primary lymphedema, subcutaneous tissue and intramuscular pressure were measured in both legs using the slitcatheter technique. Venous function was assessed by venography, or Doppler or photoplethysmography. Both at rest and during exercise, subcutaneous tissue pressure was elevated in the lymphedematous leg (17.9±7.6 and 33.0±10.8 mmHg respectively) compared to healthy contralateral leg (-0.4±2.6 and -0.6±3.6 mmHg; p < 0.001). The intramuscular pressure in the anterior tibial compartment was also increased at rest and during exercise in the edematous leg (24.9±4.4 mmHg and 43.6±11.2 mmHg respectively) compared to control leg (9.6±5.6 and 25.8±10.00 mmHg). These findings suggest that derangements in both the superficial and deep lymphatic systems as well as venous dysfunction contribute to the clinical appearance of "primary lymphedema."

How to Cite:

Christenson, J. & Hamad, M. & Shawa, N., (1985) “PRIMARY LYMPHEDEMA OF THE LEG: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE PRESSURE, INTRAMUSCULAR PRESSURE AND VENOUS FUNCTION”, Lymphology 18(2), 86-89.

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Published on
13 Jul 1985
Peer Reviewed