[Diagnosis of lymphedema]

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2013 Apr;163(7-8):162-8. doi: 10.1007/s10354-013-0204-6. Epub 2013 Apr 30.
[Article in German]

Abstract

“Edema” is only symptom of a disease, so edema treatment is only treating the symptoms. Therefore the aim of a step-by-step diagnostic approach is to determine the cause and severity of the lymphedema, as well as to distinguish the lymphedema from other edema-associated diseases. “Lymphedema” is a genuine disease, so lymphedema treatment is causal disease treatment! Due to improved diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities and not least by a growing majority of patients with their demand for adequate therapy, also the physicians awareness of lymphatic diseases has increased. Nevertheless, there is still a clear deficit in the knowledge of the very simple diagnostic steps to confirm the diagnosis and also of the appropriate stage-related treatment of lymphedema.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Checklist
  • Comorbidity
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Lymphedema / diagnosis*
  • Lymphedema / etiology
  • Lymphography
  • Lymphoscintigraphy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Medical History Taking
  • Palpation
  • Physical Examination
  • Ultrasonography