Co–Existence of Chronic Venous Insufficiency in Patients with Lymphedema � an Under Diagnosed Entity

A.Dheepak Selvaraj; Prabhu Premkumar; Vimalin Samuel; Edwin Stephen; Dr Sunil Agarwal

Volume : VI, Issue : V, May - 2016

Co–Existence of Chronic Venous Insufficiency in Patients with Lymphedema � an Under Diagnosed Entity

A. Dheepak Selvaraj, Prabhu Premkumar, Vimalin Samuel, Edwin Stephen, Dr Sunil Agarwal

Abstract :

<p>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;Objective: The aim of this study is to understand the prevalence of venous disorders in patients who present with lymphedema and comment on the pattern of venous insufficiency. Methods: Between March 2012 to December 2015, all patients with a clinical diagnosis of lymphedema underwent a confirmatory lymphoscintigram followed by a venous duplex of the affected limb. The presence or absence of venous disease was confirmed. Standard statistical methods were used in the analysis. Results: During the study period, 106 patients underwent lymphoscintigraphy. 54 of these patients had concomitant venous pathology as confirmed by duplex. Of these, the most common type of venous abnormality seen was perforator incompetence (76%). Junctional incompetence was seen in 50% and deep vein reflux [DVR] in 16%.. Conclusions: There is significant presence of concomitant venous disease in patients with primary lymphedema. The question of whether to treat the venous pathology needs more evidence.&lt;/p&gt;</p>