Head and Neck Lymphedema: Treatment Response to Single and Multiple Sessions of Advanced Pneumatic Compression Therapy. (29th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gutierrez, Carolina; Karni, Ron J.; Naqvi, Syed; Aldrich, Melissa B.; Zhu, Banghe; Morrow, J. Rodney; Sevick‐Muraca, Eva M.; Rasmussen, John C.
• Is Part Of: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery. Volume 160:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 622
• Page End: 626
• Publication Date: 2019-01-29
• Subjects: lymphedema -- near‐infrared fluorescence imaging -- pneumatic compression therapy -- lymphatics -- head and neck cancer survivorship; Head -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neck -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/0194599818823180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-5998

Abstract

Abstract : Ten head and neck cancer survivors diagnosed with head and neck lymphedema (HNL) were imaged using near‐infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging (NIRFLI) prior to and immediately after an initial advance pneumatic compression device treatment and again after 2 weeks of daily at‐home use. Images assessed the impact of pneumatic compression therapy on lymphatic drainage. Facial composite measurement scores assessed reduction/increase in external swelling, and survey results were obtained. After a single pneumatic compression treatment, NIRFLI showed enhanced lymphatic uptake and drainage in all subjects. After 2 weeks of daily treatment, areas of dermal backflow disappeared or were reduced in 6 of 8 subjects presenting with backflow. In general, reductions in facial composite measurement scores tracked with reductions in backflow and subject‐reported improvements; however, studies are needed to determine whether longer treatment durations can be impactful and whether advanced pneumatic compression can be used to ameliorate backflow characteristic of HNL.