Lymphoscintigraphy underused in the U.S. to diagnose lymphedema

Lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) is recommended but seldom used to diagnose lymphedema in real-world settings in the U.S., according to a study published on December 14 the Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders.The finding comes despite guidelines recommending LSG as the diagnostic test of choice and underlines the need for a better diagnostic test, wrote lead author Tina Moon, MD, of Tufts Medical Center in Boston and colleagues.“Optimal management of [lymphedema] requires a timely and accurate diagnosis to provide relief of the symptoms of heaviness and aching as well as reducing the risk of infection,” the group wrote.Lymphedema is a chronic disease of the lymphatic system caused by the accumulation of proteins in the interstitium, ultimately leading to inflammation, and can be caused by damage to the lymphatic system from surgery or radiation treatment, the authors explained. The disease is a particular concern among cancer patients, they noted.LSG involves the use of an injected radiotracer that targets inflamed lymph nodes, with increased metabolic activity that is then visualized using a SPECT gamma camera. Several recent expert panels have suggested from anecdotal experience that LSG is used infrequently and that the diagnosis of lymphedema is usually based on clinical examination, the team wrote.Thus, to provide hard evidence of the frequency of its use, the researchers first identified 120,940 patients over the age of 18 from a U.S. insurance datab...
Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Molecular Imaging Source Type: news