Musculoskeletal ImagingLymphoedema
a condition of chronic accumulation of
interstitial fluid in the
extremities. Lymphoedema results from a stasis of
lymph as a consequence of
obstruction of
lymph vessels or disorders of the
lymph nodes.
This condition may result from various processes, such as primary or congenital disorders, trauma, infection, irradiation and surgery (e.g. mastectomy). It may accompany thyroid acropachy, melorheostosis, Caffeys disease and acromegaly.
In some cases lymphangiosarcoma may develop in areas of long-term lymphoedema. In addition, joint effusions have also been reported adjacent to regions of lymphoedema as a consequence of exudative arthropathy with extravasation of chyle into the joint space or chyle reflux. Persons with lymphoedema may also be susceptible to infections because obstruction of lymph vessels may interfere with normal drainage.
Patients with filariasis may develop a massive lymphoedema termed elephantiasis, which involves especially the legs and scrotum.
DR