ULTRASONOGRPHY OF ARM EDEMA AFTER AXILLARY DISSECTION FOR BREAST CANCER: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

A Balzarini, M Milella, E Civelli, C Sigari, F De Conno

Abstract


This work examined whether ultra­ sonography (US) provides detailed information about physical characteristics of lymphedema and whether there is agreement between imaging and clinical data. The study popula ­ tion included 46 women with chronic arm edema after axillary dissection for breast cancer. US showed in each patient an increase of subcutaneous tissue thickness compared with the contralateral arm. Fluid accumula­ tion was seen in 16 patients (34.7%), fibrosis in 12 (26.0%), and a mixed picture (fibrosis and fluid)  in 18 (39.1%). Correlation with clinical  information  ("soft,"  "medium," "hard, "and "pitting" edema) demonstrated  that US documented interstitial fluid  in 68.4% of soft edema, mixed fluid and fibrosis in 64.2% of medium edema, andfibrosis in 76.9% of hard edema. Ultrasonography also showed that in soft and medium edema, fibrosis may already have formed.  US is useful to follow progres­ sion, composition, and management of arm lymphedema after axillary dissection.



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