The dermal lymphatics in lymphoedema visualized by indirect lymphography

Iotasul, a new water-soluble contrast medium, is very suitable for subepidermal infusion (indirect lymphography) for the demonstration of small (initial) dermal lymphatics in the macro-range (precollectors). By this method normal lymph vessels can be demonstrated in the healthy skin of hands and feet which are so fine that they cannot be punctured for direct lymphography. We studied thirty-eight patients with various forms of lymphoedema by indirect lymphography. In patients with congenital lymphoedema (particularly Milroy's disease) the initial dermal lymphatics in the lymphoedematous region were absent but large lymph collectors were present. Hyperplasia of dermal lymphatics in the form of an extremely fine net was seen in most patients with lymphoedema praecox and tardum. In some forms of primary lymphoedema the defect may be in the initial dermal lymphatics. In secondary lymphoedema, the changes in the peripheral lymphatics (mainly distension and congestion) are apparently a consequence of the primary lesion in the lymph nodes and large collectors. Indirect lymphography might be useful for the early diagnosis of mild lymphoedema and for excluding patients with hypoplasia of initial lymph vessels from surgery.