The relationship between the drainage function of inguinal lymph nodes and unilateral pelvic cancer-related lymphedema: A retrospective analysis. Issue 48 (3rd December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hou, Guozhu; Zhang, Yuwei; Chen, Libo; Li, Fang; Jing, Hongli
• Editors: Lawal., Ismaheel
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 100:Issue 48(2021)
• Page Start: e28051
• Publication Date: 2021-12-03
• Subjects: inguinal -- lymph nodes -- lymphedema -- lymphoscintigraphy; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000028051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between iliolumbar lymph nodes (LNs), inguinal LNs, and unilateral pelvic cancer-related lymphedema by retrospective analysis of lymphoscintigraphy data. Ninety-six patients (3 men and 93 women; mean age, 53.3 ± 11.3 years) with pelvic cancer-related lymphedema were enrolled in this retrospective study. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed at 1 hour and 4 to 6 hours after injection. The visualization of inguinal LNs and iliolumbar LNs were recorded. According to statistical analysis, the display of inguinal LNs in lymphoscintigraphy has a significant negative correlation with ipsilateral lower limb lymphedema ( P < .01, r = –0.561). However, there is no correlation between the show of iliolumbar LNs and ipsilateral lower extremity lymphedema ( P = .056, r = –0.138). When lymphoscintigraphy was performed at 1 hour after injection, there were 13 out of 96 patients without inguinal LNs revealed on imaging, but at 4 to 6 hours after injection, inguinal LNs were seen in lymphoscintigraphy. The drainage function of inguinal LNs has a significant negative correlation with ipsilateral pelvic cancer-related lymphedema. Treatment dedicated to restoring the drainage function of LNs in the inguinal region may effectively relieve lymphedema. The image acquisition at 4 to 6 hours after injection is necessary for significant additional information.