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Optimized lymphoscintigraphy and diagnostics of lymphatic oedema of the lower extremities
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Abstract
MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this work, a discussion is presented on the usefulness of static qualitative scintigraphy of the lymphatic system of lower extremities as well as of its quantitative interpretation, depending upon: (1) time measurement of radiopharmaceutical transport in the system, and (2) assessment of its regional uptake in lymph nodes. The effectiveness of visual assessment combined with each of the quantitative evaluations mentioned is also presented.
RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Combination of visual evaluation of static scintigraphy with each of the listed quantitative procedures improves the sensitivity of lymphoscintigraphy in the diagnosis of lymphatic oedema of lower extremities without affecting the specificity of visual evaluation. Both combined methods are characterized by similar indices of diagnostic efficacy. This enables limitation of the quantitative evaluation of lymphatic scintigraphy to the measurement of the final uptake of RPh in the inguinal lymphatic nodes.
Abstract
MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this work, a discussion is presented on the usefulness of static qualitative scintigraphy of the lymphatic system of lower extremities as well as of its quantitative interpretation, depending upon: (1) time measurement of radiopharmaceutical transport in the system, and (2) assessment of its regional uptake in lymph nodes. The effectiveness of visual assessment combined with each of the quantitative evaluations mentioned is also presented.
RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Combination of visual evaluation of static scintigraphy with each of the listed quantitative procedures improves the sensitivity of lymphoscintigraphy in the diagnosis of lymphatic oedema of lower extremities without affecting the specificity of visual evaluation. Both combined methods are characterized by similar indices of diagnostic efficacy. This enables limitation of the quantitative evaluation of lymphatic scintigraphy to the measurement of the final uptake of RPh in the inguinal lymphatic nodes.
Keywords
lymphoscintigraphy; lymphatic oedema
Title
Optimized lymphoscintigraphy and diagnostics of lymphatic oedema of the lower extremities
Journal
Issue
Pages
26-29
Published online
2008-01-15
Page views
652
Article views/downloads
1464
Bibliographic record
Nucl. Med. Rev 2008;11(1):26-29.
Keywords
lymphoscintigraphy
lymphatic oedema
Authors
Janusz Dąbrowski
Ryszard Merkert
Jacek Kuśmierek