LYMPHATIC MICROANGIOPATHY: A COMPLICATION OF SEVERE CHRONIC VENOUS INCOMPETENCE (CVI)*

Abstract

The lymphatic capillary network was visualized by fluorescence microlymphography (subepidermal in­ jection  of  0.01  ml  of  FITC-dextran  150 000  under a fluorescence microscope) in the medial ankle re­ gion of 21 patients with chronic  venous  incompe­ tence (CVI)  and of  15 healthy  controls. In  severe CVI leading to trophical changes of the skin lym­phatic microangiopathy  was  detected.  Obliterations of  parts  of  the  superficial  capillary  network, pheno­mena of cutaneous reflux and increased permeability of capillary fragments occurred. These findings con­ trast to primary lymphedema where the rete remains intact in most cases.