MORPHOLOGIC AND FUNCTIONAL CHANGES OF THE MICROLYMPHATIC NETWORK IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCING STAGES OF PRIMARY LYMPHEDEMA

Abstract

Using fluorescent microlymphography, we examined the morphology and functionalcharacteristics of the microlymph-vascular network in 36 subjects including 9 patients with“compressible” lymphedema (Group I), 14 with minimally compressible lymphedema (Group II),9 with noncompressible lymphedema (Group III), and 4 healthy individuals.As lymphedema progressed from early to advanced stages (Group I-III), an increasinglygreater lymphatic capillary density and diameter were depicted and eventually fibrosis/sclerosiswith lymphangiectasia, fragmentation and a gradual decrease in the number of microlymphatics.Concomitantly, there was a prolongation in transport and disappearance of fluorescent dye anda progressive increase in endolymphatic and interstitial hydrostatic pressures.