Lymphatic Flow (lymphatic + flow)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Sentinel node biopsy in oral cavity cancer: Correlation with PET scan and immunohistochemistry

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 1 2003
Francisco J. Civantos MD
Abstract Background. Lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel node biopsy (LS/SNB) is a minimally invasive technique that samples first-echelon lymph nodes to predict the need for more extensive neck dissection. Methods. We evaluated this technique in 18 oral cavity cancers, stages T1,T3, N0. Patients underwent CT and positron emission tomography (PET) of the neck, followed by LS/SNB, frozen section, immediate selective neck dissection, definitive histology, and immunoperoxidase staining for cytokeratin. Histopathology of the sentinel node was correlated with that of the neck specimen. Results. There were 10 true positives: 6 identified on frozen section; 2 on permanent histology; and 2 only on immunoperoxidase staining. In six, the sentinel node was the only positive node. There were seven true negatives and one false negative. Conclusions. Gross tumor replacement of lymph node architecture may obstruct and redirect lymphatic flow. Overall LS/SNB holds promise for oral cancer. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 000,000, 2003 [source]


A fresh look at dry weight

HEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2008
Jochen RAIMANN
Abstract The concept of dry weight (DW) is central to dialysis therapy. The most commonly used definition of DW is the weight below which patients become hypotensive on dialysis. However, this definition is dependent on patient symptoms. A more rigorous definition of DW is the body weight at a physiological extracellular volume (ECV) state. Overhydration is an excess in ECV above that found in healthy subjects. In healthy subjects, within extremes of salt intake, ECV may vary between 280 and 340 mL/kg lean body mass. Sodium accumulation is one of the many consequences of renal failure; it results in increased water intake and an increase in ECV, and an accompanying rise in blood pressure with its clinical sequelae, most prominently cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Recently characterized endogenous digitalis-like factors which are released in response to ECV expansion have extended this traditional picture. Efforts to reduce a positive sodium balance include dietary counseling and avoidance of iatrogenic intradialytic sodium loading, such as dialysate sodium exceeding serum levels, sodium profiling, and intravenous saline. Excess ECV is predominantly located in the interstitial compartment and must be removed during dialysis therapy by ultrafiltration. During this process, interstitial fluid redistributes to the intravascular space via uptake in the capillary bed. In addition to that mechanism, we propose that increased lymphatic flow into the venous system contributes to plasma refilling. Both clinical and technical means are used to assess the presence of DW. Continuous segmental calf bioimpedance is a promising new technology for intradialytic DW diagnosis. [source]


Lymphatic Compression by Sclerotic Patches of Morphea: An Original Mechanism of Lymphedema in a Child

PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Mahtab Samimi M.D.
Secondary lymphedema is caused by lymphatic injury or obstruction. We report the case of a child that developed a lymphedema of the left upper and lower extremities, with a simultaneous onset of ipsilateral hemicorporal morphea. We concluded that lymphatic obstruction was due to sclerosis from morphea. This is a unique, rarely reported mechanism of lymphedema. Lymphoscintigraphy revealed attenuated lymphatic flow in the left upper and lower limbs. Systemic corticosteroids were associated with slow improvement in the sclerotic patches. We simultaneously noticed an improvement in the lymphedema of limbs. Repeat lymphoscintigraphy revealed dramatically improved lymphatic function. This case suggests that at least in some cases lymphedema may be caused by morphea. [source]


Lymphatic Mapping and Sentinel Lymphadenectomy for 106 Head and Neck Lesions: Contrasts Between Oral Cavity and Cutaneous Malignancy,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue S109 2006
FACS, Francisco J. Civantos MD
Abstract Objectives: The objectives of this prospective series were to present our results in 106 sequential cases of lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the head and neck region and contrast the experience in oral cancer with that for cutaneous lesions. Hypotheses: SLNB has an acceptably low complication rate in the head and neck. Lymphatic mapping and gamma probe-guided lymphadenectomy can improve the management of malignancies of the head and neck by more accurate identification of the nodal basins at risk and more accurate staging of the lymphatics. For appropriately selected patients, radionuclide lymphatic mapping may safely allow for minimally invasive sentinel lymphadenectomy without formal completion selective lymphadenectomy. Methods: One hundred six patients underwent intralesional radionuclide injection and radiologic lymphoscintigraphy (LS) on Institutional Review Board-approved protocols and 103 of these underwent successful SLNB. These included 35 patients with malignant melanoma, 10 cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, four lip cancers, eight Merkel cell carcinomas, two rare cutaneous lesions, and 43 oral cancers. Mean follow up was 24 months. Patients with oral cavity malignancy underwent concurrent selective neck dissection after narrow-exposure sentinel lymph node excision. In this group, the SLNB histopathology could be correlated with the completion neck specimen histopathology. Patients with cutaneous malignancy underwent SLNB alone and only received regional lymphadenectomy based on positive histology or clinical indications. Data were tabulated for anatomic drainage patterns, complications, histopathology, and patterns of cancer recurrence. Results: Surgical complications were rare. No temporary or permanent dysfunction of facial or spinal accessory nerves occurred with sentinel node biopsy. Lymphatic drainage to areas dramatically outside of the expected lymphatic basins occurred in 13.6%. Predictive value of a negative sentinel node was 98.2% for cutaneous malignancies (based on regional recurrence) and 92% with oral cancer (based on pathologic correlation). Gross tumor replacement of lymph nodes and redirection of lymphatic flow represented a significant technical issue in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Sixteen percent of patients with oral cancer were upstaged from N0 to N1 after extended sectioning and immunohistochemistry of the sentinel node. Conclusions: LS and SLNB can be performed with technical success in the head and neck region. Complications are minimal. More accurate staging and mapping of lymphatic drainage may improve the quality of standard lymphadenectomy. The potential for minimally invasive surgery based on this technology exists, but there is a small risk of missing positive disease. Whether the failure rate is greater than that of standard lymphadenectomy without gamma probe guidance is not known. New studies need to focus on refinements of technique and validation of accuracy as well as biologic correlates for the prediction of metastases. [source]