ELECTROMAGNETIC DIATHERMIA: A LYMPHOSCINTIGRAPHIC AND LIGHT REFLECTION RHEOGRAPHIC STUDY OF LEG LYMPHATIC AND VENOUS DYNAMICS IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS

Abstract

Because electromagnetic diathermia (ED) has been reported to reduce lymphedema, weopted to examine the effects of ED on leg venous and lymph dynamics in healthy subjects. Toexamine lymph flow, we performed lymphangioscintigraphy (LAS) in 10 subjects without legedema and used static images at the injection site and at the inguinal region for “control data.”Later, we applied ED (2450 MHz, 200W) and then repeated the LAS using the same dosage andvolume. Differences between the first and second sessions were examined using two way ANOVAand the differences between the scores with or without ED were analyzed by a Student’s t-test. Toexamine venous flow, we first tested the left lower leg of 15 healthy subjects on two occasionsusing light reflection rheography (LRR). Venous refill time was recorded after each individualperformed 10 dorsiflexions with the left foot on three occasions with an interval of 3 minutesbetween each recording. Thereafter, 20 minutes ED (2450 MHz, 200W) was applied and usingthe same protocol venous refill time was recorded and repeated after an interval of one week.The 50% level and the declination angle of the refill time was determined and differencesbetween the experimental and control groups analyzed by ANOVA.The results between the first and second sessions were consistent and reproducible with orwithout the electromagnetic application, with no change of radiotracer transport from theinjection site or arrival at the inguinal nodes. There was also a high correlation between thescores for the 50% level and declination angle (r=0.97) after LRR. Thus, after ED there was anaccelerated venous refill time. In conclusion, after ED there was no increase in lymph flow butthere was accelerated venous return.