Project description:Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography is used to evaluate the lymphatic function before and after pneumatic compression or post-manual lymphatic drainage. The aim of this study was to ascertain the changes in the fluoroscopic pattern produced by the provision of complex physical therapy. This prospective analytic (pretest-posttest) study was conducted in 19 patients with upper lymphedema secondary to breast cancer. Nine patients were excluded due to ICG found after 3 weeks. The ICG patterns were analyzed under basal conditions and after three weeks of treatment. After the treatment, 45% of the patients presented tracer remains in the affected limb, and this finding was significantly related to time of the lymphedema development. In one subject, the patterns remain unchanged or cannot be defined. Three of the ten patients observed present the worsening of at least 1 of the patterns and in the rest of the subjects, six cases, the improvement of the patterns is observed. In 60% of the cases, the most severe pattern reversed towards slight (splash) cases, and moderate cases reversed towards a slight case in 70% of cases. Therefore, after treatment with complex physical therapy, the pathological patterns observed in the pretest, which evolved positively, reverted their severity toward milder disease patterns or towards normality.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Breast cancer related lymphoedema (BCRL) is a common side effect of cancer treatment. Recently indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent lymphography has become a popular method for imaging the lymphatics, however there are no standard protocols nor imaging criteria. We have developed a prospective protocol to aid in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of BCRL. METHODS:Lymphatic imaging procedures were conducted in three phases. Following initial observation of spontaneous movement of ICG in phase one, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage was applied to facilitate ICG transit via the lymphatics in phase two. All imaging data was collected in phase three. Continuous lymphatic imaging of the upper limb was conducted for approximately an hour and lymphatic drainage pathways were determined. Correlations between the drainage pathway and MD Anderson Cancer Centre (MDACC) ICG lymphoedema stage were investigated. RESULTS:One hundred and three upper limbs with BCRL were assessed with this new protocol. Despite most of the patients having undergone axillary node dissection, the ipsilateral axilla drainage pathway was the most common (67% of upper limbs). We found drainage to the ipsilateral axilla decreased as MDACC stage increased. Our results suggest that the axillary pathway remained patent for over two-thirds of patients, rather than completely obstructed as conventionally thought to be the case for BCRL. CONCLUSIONS:We developed a new ICG lymphography protocol for diagnosing BCRL focusing on identification of an individual patient's lymphatic drainage pathway after lymph node surgery. The new ICG lymphography protocol will allow a personalised approach to manual lymphatic drainage massage and potentially surgery.
Project description:BackgroundSecondary lymphedema causes swelling in limbs due to lymph retention following lymph node dissection in cancer therapy. Initiation of treatment soon after appearance of edema is very important, but there is no method for early diagnosis of lymphedema. In this study, we compared the utility of four diagnostic imaging methods: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), lymphoscintigraphy, and Indocyanine Green (ICG) lymphography.Patients and methodsBetween April 2010 and November 2011, we examined 21 female patients (42 arms) with unilateral mild upper limb lymphedema using the four methods. The mean age of the patients was 60.4 years old (35-81 years old). Biopsies of skin and collecting lymphatic vessels were performed in 7 patients who underwent lymphaticovenous anastomosis.ResultsThe specificity was 1 for all four methods. The sensitivity was 1 in ICG lymphography and MRI, 0.62 in lymphoscintigraphy, and 0.33 in CT. These results show that MRI and ICG lymphography are superior to lymphoscintigraphy or CT for diagnosis of lymphedema. In some cases, biopsy findings suggested abnormalities in skin and lymphatic vessels for which lymphoscintigraphy showed no abnormal findings. ICG lymphography showed a dermal backflow pattern in these cases.ConclusionsOur findings suggest the importance of dual diagnosis by examination of the lymphatic system using ICG lymphography and evaluation of edema in subcutaneous fat tissue using MRI.
Project description:Intra-abdominal adhesions have consistently posed a challenge for surgeons during procedures. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of utilizing indocyanine green (ICG) in conjunction with near-infrared imaging for the detection of intra-abdominal adhesions. In vitro, we analyzed factors affecting ICG fluorescence. We divided SD rats into groups to study ICG excretion in different digestive tract regions. Additionally, we reviewed surgical videos from previous cholecystectomy cases, categorizing them by ICG injection timing and assessing fluorescence imaging in various digestive tract regions. Finally, we preoperatively injected ICG into two cholecystectomized patients with abdominal adhesions, guiding intraoperative adhesiolysis with near-infrared fluorescence imaging. In vitro, we observed a significant influence of protein and ICG concentrations on ICG fluorescence intensity. Our rat experiments unveiled a strong and highly significant correlation (Kendall's tau-b = 1, P < 0.001) between the timing of ICG injection and the farthest point of intestinal fluorescence. A retrospective case analysis further validated this finding (Kendall's tau-b = 0.967, P < 0.001). Under the guidance of fluorescence navigation, two cholecystectomized patients with intra-abdominal adhesions successfully underwent adhesiolysis, and no postoperative complications occurred. The intraoperative combination of ICG with near-infrared fluorescence imaging effectively enhances the visibility of the liver, bile ducts, and various segments of the gastrointestinal tract while providing real-time navigation. This real-time fluorescence guidance has the potential to aid surgeons in the dissection of intra-abdominal adhesions.
Project description:BackgroundBreast cancer treatment-related lymphedema (BCRL) arises from a mechanical insufficiency following cancer therapies. Early BCRL detection and personalized intervention require an improved understanding of the physiological processes that initiate lymphatic impairment. Here, internal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of the tissue microenvironment were paired with clinical measures of tissue structure to test fundamental hypotheses regarding structural tissue and muscle changes after the commonly used therapeutic intervention of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD).Methods and resultsMeasurements to identify lymphatic dysfunction in healthy volunteers (n = 29) and patients with BCRL (n = 16) consisted of (1) limb volume, tissue dielectric constant, and bioelectrical impedance (i.e., non-MRI measures); (2) qualitative 3 Tesla diffusion-weighted, T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI; and (3) quantitative multi-echo T2 MRI of the axilla. Measurements were repeated in patients immediately following MLD. Normative control and BCRL T2 values were quantified and a signed Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test was applied (significance: two-sided p < 0.05). Non-MRI measures yielded significant capacity for discriminating between arms with versus without clinical signs of BCRL, yet yielded no change in response to MLD. Alternatively, a significant increase in deep tissue T2 on the involved (pre T2 = 0.0371 ± 0.003 seconds; post T2 = 0.0389 ± 0.003; p = 0.029) and contralateral (pre T2 = 0.0365 ± 0.002; post T2 = 0.0395 ± 0.002; p < 0.01) arms was observed. Trends for larger T2 increases on the involved side after MLD in patients with stage 2 BCRL relative to earlier stages 0 and 1 BCRL were observed, consistent with tissue composition changes in later stages of BCRL manifesting as breakdown of fibrotic tissue after MLD in the involved arm. Contrast consistent with relocation of fluid to the contralateral quadrant was observed in all stages.ConclusionQuantitative deep tissue T2 MRI values yielded significant changes following MLD treatment, whereas non-MRI measurements did not vary. These findings highlight that internal imaging measures of tissue composition may be useful for evaluating how current and emerging therapies impact tissue function.
Project description:BackgroundThe standard therapy for lymphedema of any origin is complex physical decongestive therapy (CDT). It comprises manual lymph drainage (MLD), compression therapy (CT), exercise therapy (ET), skincare, and patient education. Additionally, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) can be applied. However, the contribution of MLD to decongestion is repeatedly questioned.Patients and methodsThis study re-analyzes a previous study during a 3-week decongestion period, comparing two different types of compression bandaging at the weekend. Sixty-one patients with unilateral breast cancer-related lymphedema were included. The patients received the same therapy (CDT + IPC) except for the different weekend compression bandaging. MLD was performed twice a day on weekdays. The volume of the affected arm was measured on days 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, and 22. For the analysis, the data of both study groups were pooled.ResultsDuring the week, the patients showed a significant volume reduction (- 155.23 mL (week 1), - 101.02 mL (week 2), - 61.69 mL (week 3), respectively; p < 0.001 each) with a high effect size. On the weekends without MLD, they showed a slight, but also significant increase (12.08 mL (weekend 1), 8.36 mL (weekend 2), 4.33 mL (weekend 3), respectively; p < 0.001 each) with a medium effect size.ConclusionsWe showed a strong effect of MLD on volume reduction. Differences from other studies are the larger study population and the more intensive application of MLD. If applied intensively, MLD is strongly decongestive during a 3-week decongestion therapy for breast cancer-related lymphedema.
Project description:Near infrared fluorescence-guidance can be used for the detection of small cancer metastases and can aid in the endoscopic management of cancer. Indocyanine green (ICG) is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved fluorescence agent. Through non-specific interactions with serum proteins, ICG achieves enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects. Yet, ICG demonstrates rapid clearance from the circulation. Therefore, ICG may be an ideal contrast agent for real-time fluorescence imaging of tumors. To evaluate the usefulness of real-time dual fluorescence and white light endoscopic optical imaging to detect tumor implants using the contrast agent ICG, fluorescence-guided laparoscopic procedures were performed in mouse models of peritoneally disseminated ovarian cancers. Animals were administered intravenous ICG or a control contrast agent, IR800-conjugated to albumin. The ability to detect small ovarian cancer implants was then compared. Using the dual view microendoscope, ICG clearly enabled visualization of peritoneal ovarian cancer metastatic nodules derived from SHIN3 and OVCAR5 cells at 6 and 24 hr after injection with significantly higher tumor-to-background ratio than the control agent, IR800-albumin (p < 0.001). In conclusion, ICG has the desirable properties of having both EPR effects and rapid clearance for the real-time endoscopic detection of tiny ovarian cancer peritoneal implants compared to a control macromolecular agent with theoretically better EPR effects but longer circulatory retention. Given that ICG is already FDA-approved and has a long track record of human use, this method could be easily translated to the clinic as a robust tool for fluorescence-guided endoscopic procedures for the management and treatment of cancer.
Project description:Lymphedema is a common complication of axillary dissection for breast cancer. We investigated whether manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) could prevent or manage limb edema in women after breast-cancer surgery.We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of MLD in the prevention and treatment of breast-cancer-related lymphedema. The PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials electronic databases were searched for articles on MLD published before December 2012, with no language restrictions. The primary outcome for prevention was the incidence of postoperative lymphedema. The outcome for management of lymphedema was a reduction in edema volume.In total, 10 RCTs with 566 patients were identified. Two studies evaluating the preventive outcome of MLD found no significant difference in the incidence of lymphedema between the MLD and standard treatment groups, with a risk ratio of 0.63 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.14 to 2.82. Seven studies assessed the reduction in arm volume, and found no significant difference between the MLD and standard treatment groups, with a weighted mean difference of 75.12 (95% CI, -9.34 to 159.58).The current evidence from RCTs does not support the use of MLD in preventing or treating lymphedema. However, clinical and statistical inconsistencies between the various studies confounded our evaluation of the effect of MLD on breast-cancer-related lymphedema.
Project description:BackgroundStudies have shown that manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) has a beneficial effect on lymphedema related to breast cancer surgery. However, whether MLD reduces the risk of lymphedema is still debated. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the current evidence to assess the effectiveness of MLD in preventing and treating lymphedema in patients after breast cancer surgery.MethodsFrom inception to May 2019, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched without language restriction. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the treatment and prevention effect of MLD with a control group on lymphedema in breast cancer patients. A random-effects model was used for all analyses.ResultsA total of 17 RCTs involving 1911 patients were included. A meta-analysis of 8 RCTs, including 338 patients, revealed that MLD did not significantly reduce lymphedema compared with the control group (standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): [-0.85 to 0.67]). Subgroup analysis was basically consistent with the main analysis according to the research region, the publication year, the sample size, the type of surgery, the statistical analysis method, the mean age, and the intervention time. However, we found that MLD could significantly reduce lymphedema in patients under the age of 60 years (SMD: -1.77, 95% CI: [-2.23 to -1.31]) and an intervention time of 1 month (SMD: -1.77, 95% CI: [-2.23 to -1.30]). Meanwhile, 4 RCTs including, 1364 patients, revealed that MLD could not significantly prevent the risk of lymphedema (risk ratio (RR): 0.61, 95% CI: [0.29-1.26]) for patients having breast cancer surgery.ConclusionsOverall, this meta-analysis of 12 RCTs showed that MLD cannot significantly reduce or prevent lymphedema in patients after breast cancer surgery. However, well-designed RCTs with a larger sample size are required, especially in patients under the age of 60 years or an intervention time of 1 month.