LYMPHOGRAPHIC VISUALIZATION OF LYMPHATICOVENOUS COMMUNICATIONS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN MALIGNANT HEMOLYMPHOPATHIES

Abstract

The presence of lymphaticovenous communications (l.v.c.) besides the junction between the thoracic duct and the 1eft subclavian vein is no longer doubted today. Experimental studies (2, 3) as well  as the anatomical dissection studies (10, 14) have proved the existence of such communications at all levels. Lymphography has made them visible in vivo. Their visualization is always related to an obstruction of the lymphatic flow, due either to node metastases (1, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17) or to sclerosis subsequent to x-ray therapy (5), as well as to surgical interruption of lymphatic circulation after removal of lymph nodes (1, 12). Only few papers mention l.v.c. in malignant hemolymphopathies (5, 6, 11, 13).

It appears that in humans l.v.c begin to function only in pathologic conditions i.e. in case of defficiency of the lymphatic chains which become inadequate to prevent the accumulation of lymph in the interstitial or free spaces of the organism. On the other hand the opening of l.v.c. might favour the spread of tumor cells in the blood circulation and the occurrence of distant metastases.

The object of this paper is to demonstrate by radiographic examination the presence of l.v.c. and to discuss the significance the opening of these communications might have in the evolution of some malignant hemolymphopathies.