ScholarWorks@중앙대학교

초록

OBJECTIVE: Lymphedema is a chronic disorder of the lymphatic system. This study evaluated quantitative lymphoscintigraphy SPECT/CT parameters for assessing lymphatic function in patients with unilateral upper extremity lymphedema and examined their relationship with clinical outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with unilateral upper extremity lymphedema underwent quantitative lymphoscintigraphy SPECT/CT. Maximum lymphatic activity (MLA) and total lymphatic accumulation (TLA) were measured in both the affected and the unaffected limbs. Limb circumference measurements were obtained at baseline and 1-month follow-up to calculate the relative volume increase (%RVI) and reduction of %RVI (%RRVI). Differences in SPECT/CT-derived parameters between the affected and the unaffected limbs were analyzed, and their correlations with clinical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: MLA (P=0.0289) and TLA (P<0.001) were significantly lower in the affected limbs compared with the unaffected limbs. MLA (&#x3c1;=0.58, P=0.011), MLA ratio (&#x3c1;=0.6, P=0.0077), and TLA ratio (&#x3c1;=0.59, P=0.0091) in the affected limbs showed significant positive correlations with %RRVI. Patients with improved lymphedema exhibited significantly higher MLA (P=0.016), MLA ratio (P=0.003), and TLA ratio (P=0.003) in the affected limb compared with those with persistent lymphedema. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative lymphoscintigraphy SPECT/CT parameters showed significant differences between the affected and the unaffected limbs and demonstrated a meaningful association with treatment response. These parameters may facilitate early detection of lymphatic dysfunction and prediction of therapeutic outcomes, potentially contributing to improved clinical management. Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

키워드