A CASE OF LOCALISED TRAUMATIC LYMPHOEDEMA: OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THE OBSTRUCTION OF INITIAL LYMPHATICS AND TISSUE CHANNELS BY FIBRIN, AND MENKIN'S HYPOTHESIS

Abstract

A case of acute lymphoedema is described. It was caused by a sharply localised, nearly circular, trauma. While there was minimal bruising, the trauma
broke enough blood vessels to cause the blockage, by fibrin, of the initial lymphatics and tissue channels. This encircled a region, superficial to the deep fascia, and significantly prevented both the tissue fluid reaching the lymphatics and transport via the system. In addition, there was a short-lived, generalised lymphoedema, presumably caused by damage to the saphenous collecting lymphatics.