Using bifurcated endoprosthesis after iliac artery recanalization for concomitant abdominal aortic aneurysm and chronic total occlusions of access routes.

OBJECTIVE: Concurrent abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and unilateral iliac occlusion is a challenge in the implantation of bifurcated stent grafts (BFGs). The endovascular approach is less invasive than open surgery; the aortouni-iliac (AUI) graft with crossover femorofemoral bypass (CFFB) has many problems associated with extra-anatomic reconstruction. We attempted endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) using BFGs in such cases and evaluated the outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Between October 2012 and December 2017, there were 649 patients who underwent surgery for AAA, of whom 32 patients underwent open reconstruction and 617 patients underwent endovascular aneurysm repair; 15 patients with unilateral occluded iliac arteries and AAA were included. The analysis included patients with unilateral iliac chronic total occlusion (CTO). The intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up variables were reviewed. RESULTS: The occluded lesions were the common iliac artery in 5 patients, the common iliac artery-external iliac artery (EIA) in 2 patients, the EIA in 7 patients, and the EIA-common femoral artery in 1 patient. The mean occlusive length was 89.7 ± 43.6 mm, and the mean AAA size was 54.6 ± 5.6 mm. Technical success was achieved in 13 patients (87%). All patients underwent recanalization through the true lumen and stent placement. The only procedure-related complication was distal embolism, which was treated with intraoperative thrombectomy. Recanalization of CTO lesions was not possible in two patients (13%), who underwent AUI graft placement with CFFB. The 30-day mortality and morbidity rates were 0%. The mean follow-up periods were 12 and 32 months for patients who underwent BFG placement and AUI graft placement with CFFB, respectively. During follow-up, the primary patency rate of successfully recanalized arteries was 100%. Aneurysm size decreased in four patients who underwent BFG placement; no change was seen in the other 11 patients. Freedom from aneurysm-related events was 100%; no patient needed secondary interventions. All patients with claudication pain preoperatively reported improvement in their symptoms during follow-up. In addition, the ankle-brachial index improved significantly from 0.51 ± 0.25 preoperatively to 0.88 ± 0.20 postoperatively (P < .001) in patients who underwent BFG placement. CONCLUSIONS: Recanalization of unilateral iliac CTO lesions and placement of BFG in cases with concomitant aneurysmal disease and unilateral iliac occlusive disease demonstrated a significant primary patency rate with improvements in claudication and ankle-brachial index.

Chimney Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Using Endurant Stent-Grafts With Bare Balloon-Expandable Stents for Patients With Juxtarenal Aortic Aneurysms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the advantages of chimney endovascular aneurysm repair (chEVAR) using an Endurant stent-graft with uncovered balloon-expandable stents (BES) for patients with juxtarenal aortic aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients (mean age 78.5±9.0 years; 13 men) who underwent chEVAR using Endurant and uncovered BES between January 2014 and December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The maximum aneurysm diameter was 59.1±11.9 mm, and the proximal neck length was 5.2±2.9 mm. Of the 22 cases, 9 (40%) involved proximal neck angulation and 9 (40%) had a conical neck. Single and double chimneys were performed using BES in 19 and 3 cases, respectively. In 2 cases, an additional self-expanding covered stent was used inside the uncovered BES. RESULTS: The technical success was 91% (20/22) as 2 (9%) cases showed minor type Ia endoleak. No postoperative systemic complications or acute renal dysfunction (Acute Kidney Injury Network classification stage 2 or higher) were observed. The mean radiologic observation period was 16.1±9.6 months, and no aneurysm expansion (>5 mm) was observed during this time. The mean maximum aneurysm diameter decreased to 52.9±10.2 mm (p<0.001 vs preoperative), with an individual mean sac regression of 6.2±5.9 mm. Overall primary chimney stent patency was 100%. One of the 2 cases of intraoperative type Ia endoleak resolved at the 6-month imaging, and no new type Ia endoleaks developed in any cases at follow-up. No additional treatment- or aneurysm-related events were observed. CONCLUSION: Short-term outcomes of chEVAR using Endurant with uncovered BES have been favorable when covered stents were unavailable, and it can be useful for high-risk patients with juxtarenal aortic aneurysms.

Focal Adhesion Kinase Promotes the Progression of Aortic Aneurysm by Modulating Macrophage Behavior.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular disease that is associated with persistent inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation. The molecular mechanisms underlying the macrophage-mediated progression of AAA remain largely unclear. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We show that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression and activity are enhanced in macrophages that are recruited to AAA tissue. FAK potentiates tumor necrosis factor-α-induced secretion of matrix-degrading enzymes and chemokines by cultured macrophages. FAK also promotes macrophage chemotaxis. In mice, the administration of a FAK inhibitor that tempers local macrophage accumulation markedly suppresses the development and progression of chemically induced AAA. CONCLUSIONS: FAK plays a key role in macrophage behavior, which underlies the chronic progression of AAA. These findings provide insights into AAA progression and identify FAK as a novel therapeutic target.

Venous hemodynamics assessed with air plethysmography in legs with lymphedema.

This study was conducted to identify specific abnormalities using the results from air plethysmography in legs with lymphedema. A routine air plethysmography exercise protocol was performed in 31 patients with unilateral leg lymphedema, and the results were compared with those of 53 patients with unilateral great saphenous vein reflux and 15 normal subjects. The venous filling index in legs with lymphedema (2.1 ± 1.2 mL/sec) was smaller than in legs with great saphenous vein reflux (6.4 ± 4.1 mL/sec, p < 0.05), but was not different from that in normal legs (1.9 ± 1.2 mL/sec). The ejection fraction was similar in all groups. The residual volume fraction in legs with lymphedema (35 ± 32%) was larger than that in normal subjects (13 ± 23%, p < 0.05), but was not significantly different from that in the contralateral leg of the lymphedema patients (32 ± 27%). In conclusion, we found no specific air plethysmography findings in uncomplicated lymphedema.

Identification of Anatomical Risk Factors for Type II Endoleak to Guide Selective Inferior Mesenteric Artery Embolization.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear which patients are the best candidates for inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) embolization to reduce type II endoleak (ELII). Therefore, this study aimed to identify the anatomical risk factors for ELII after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and to determine the best candidates for preventative, preoperative IMA embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2007 and September 2014, 196 patients underwent standard EVAR. Anatomical risk factors of postoperative, persistent ELII were detected using logistic regression analysis. Preoperative treatment of the IMA occlusion in patients with anatomical risk factors was performed to reduce ELII. RESULTS: ELII was detected in 48 patients (24.5%). Overall, patency of the IMA (odds ratio [OR], 4.13; P = 0.004) and lumbar artery (LA) diameter ≥2.0 mm (OR, 3.30; P = 0.008) were significant risk factors for ELII, whereas an Endurant stent graft protected against ELII (OR, 0.22; P = 0.023). However, in patients with patent IMA, IMA diameter ≥3.0 mm (OR, 4.09; P = 0.011), LA diameter ≥2.0 mm (OR, 3.16; P = 0.043), and aortoiliac aneurysm (OR, 6.36; P = 0.026) were significant risk factors for ELII. Incidence rates of ELII in patients with and without these factors were 37.8% and 11.2%, respectively. ELII did not occur in patients with risk factors who underwent treatment of preoperative IMA occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with these risk factors are the candidates for undergoing treatment of preoperative IMA occlusion to reduce ELII.

Aggressive Decongestion in Limbs with Lymphedema without Subcutaneous Echo-Free Space.

BACKGROUND: To study the impact of aggressive decongestion in limbs with lymphedema without subcutaneous echo-free space (SEFS) in subcutaneous tissue ultrasonography. METHODS: In 13 patients with arm lymphedema (ALE) (13 arms) and 16 patients with leg lymphedema (LLE) (18 legs) without SEFS, an aggressive decongestion was performed as the first phase of complex decongestive therapy. Measurements of circumference and calculation of limb volume were performed before and after the treatment. RESULTS: In ALE, no significant reduction in arm volume (median -63 [range -251 to 176] mL) or edema ratio (-4 [-15 to 12]%) was confirmed. On the other hand, a small but significant reduction in leg volume (-207 [-834 to 131] mL, P < 0.001) and edema ratio (-4 [-14 to 2]%, P < 0.01) was confirmed in LLE. CONCLUSION: In limbs with lymphedema without SEFS, the impact of aggressive decongestion seemed limited.

Midterm Outcomes of Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair with Carbon Dioxide-Guided Angiography.

BACKGROUND: Although iodinated contrast (IC) agents are commonly used in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), perioperative use in patients with renal dysfunction or IC allergies is avoided. Carbon dioxide (CO2)-guided angiography is a promising alternative. We aimed to evaluate short-term and midterm outcomes of EVAR using CO2-guided angiography. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-one patients who underwent EVAR from January 2012 to September 2016 were retrospectively reviewed and divided into an IC-EVAR group (n = 351) and CO2-EVAR group (n = 30). Subjects in the CO2-EVAR group had severe renal dysfunction (n = 27) and IC allergy (n = 4). Intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up variables were compared. RESULTS: Compared with the IC-EVAR group, preoperative serum creatinine level was significantly higher (2.0 vs. 0.92 mg/dL, P < 0.0001) and mean IC dose was significantly lower (18 vs. 55 mL, P < 0.0001) in the CO2-EVAR group. The fluoroscopy time, operative time, number of stent grafts placed, and technical success rates of the groups were similar; no type I and/or type III endoleaks were detected on completion angiography. There was no acute kidney injury and one case of intestinal necrosis in the CO2-EVAR group, potentially due to cholesterol embolism. Postoperative endoleak, enlargement of aneurysms, survival, freedom from secondary intervention, and renal function change up to 3 months, postoperatively, were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: CO2-EVAR is technically feasible and exhibits prominent renal protection. However, consideration of the aortic lumen status remains an important challenge.

Innovative Procedure for Inferior Mesenteric Artery Embolization Using the Amplatzer Vascular Plug 4 during Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to present an easy and quick technique for embolization of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). TECHNIQUE: We performed IMA embolization using a conventional EVAR device alone with the femoral artery approach during EVAR, which has not been reported previously. First, a 16F or 18F DrySeal Sheath is inserted from the femoral artery into the site around the IMA. Second, cannulation is performed in the IMA with an angiography catheter having a 0.038-inch inner lumen that is used for gate cannulation during EVAR. Third, IMA embolization is performed using the Amplatzer Vascular Plug 4 (AVP4). The use of the DrySeal Sheath facilitates cannulation of the IMA, and its combination with a stent-graft balloon allows the AVP4 to be placed at the root of the IMA without deviation of the catheter. The success rate of the procedure was 90.9% (30/33 cases). The median procedure time was 11.6 min. No complications due to IMA embolization were noted. CONCLUSION: This procedure enables safe and quick placement of the AVP4 in the IMA using the catheter insertion approach from the femoral artery, which has been conventionally regarded as difficult.

A study of leg edema in immobile patients.

BACKGROUND: Our objectives were to elucidate the pathophysiology of leg edema in immobile patients and to discuss reasonable management of this condition. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 30 patients with leg edema had visited our clinic between April 2009 and March 2013; they suffered from severe gait disturbance, had no significant venous abnormalities detected using duplex ultrasound, and did not have any systemic diseases that could cause leg edema. Here, we review their symptoms, examinations, and treatments. Among 59 edematous legs of the 30 patients, 30 legs (51%) had symptoms that indicated advanced chronic venous insufficiency. The ankle range of motion and calf : ankle circumference ratio were abnormal in only 3 (5%) and 10 (17%) of the legs, respectively. The severity of edema and subcutaneous inflammation, which was confirmed using ultrasonography, was significantly influenced by gravity. Air plethysmography and lymphangioscintigraphy were completed in 15 and 10 patients, respectively, neither of which revealed any significant abnormalities. Reasonable success for all patients was achieved by compression therapy and physical therapy without medications. CONCLUSIONS: It was assumed that leg edema in these immobile patients was mainly caused by venous stasis because of the immobility itself, not because of anatomical problems. The patients were successfully managed by compression and physical therapy alone.

Local Echo-Free Space in a Limb with Lymphedema Represents Extracellular Fluid in the Entire Limb.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that local subcutaneous echo-free space (SEFS) in the leg was stirringly correlated with extracellular fluid (ECF) status in the same part of the leg when assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). In this study, we examined whether local SEFS represents the ECF status in the entire limb. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 51 legs and 40 arms with lymphedema (LE), subcutaneous tissue ultrasonography was performed to determine SEFS severity (range, 0-2). BIA was also performed to calculate the L-Dex® score (LDS), which is a BIA-derived parameter to represent ECF status, for the arm and modified LDS (mLDS) for the leg (the right arm was used as a reference instead of the contralateral leg). SEFS severity in any part of the leg showed good correlation with mLDS, but that in the lateral lower calf showed the strongest correlation (ρ = 0.86). In contrast, only SEFS severity in the medial forearm showed good correlation with LDS (ρ = 0.74). CONCLUSIONS: Local SEFS may represent ECF status in the entire limb in both the leg and arm LE.

Correlation Between Changes in Extremity Volume and Bioelectrical Impedance in Arm and Leg Lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: To clarify the differences in the mode of fluid accumulation between arm and leg lymphedema using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). METHODS AND RESULTS: In 22 arms with lymphedema (ALE) and 65 legs with lymphedema (LLE), as well as 54 legs with venous edema (VE) for comparison, BIA was performed twice between April 2015 and March 2017. Then, the changes in BIA-derived parameters were correlated with the changes in extremity volumes. In ALE, the change in extracellular fluid resistance (Re) was negatively correlated with the change in arm volume (r = 0.51), while the change in intracellular fluid resistance (Ri) was constant, irrespective of the change in arm volume (r = 0.19). In LLE, the change in Re was negatively correlated with the change in leg volume (r = 0.67), but the change in Ri was also negatively correlated with the change in leg volume (r = 0.51). These correlations were similar to those in VE, in which the changes in Re and Ri were each negatively correlated with the change in leg volume (r = 0.66 and 0.53, respectively). CONCLUSION: The modes of change in BIA-derived parameters according to the change in extremity volume were different in ALE and LLE. The changes in LLE were similar to that in VE.

Immediate Changes to Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Strains Following Manual Lymph Drainage in Legs with Lymphedema.

OBJECTIVES: To study the immediate impact of manual lymph drainage (MLD) on skin and subcutaneous tissue strains in legs with lymphedema using free-hand real-time tissue elastography (RTE). METHODS: Skin and subcutaneous tissue strain measurements were taken at the middle of the inner thigh and calf by RTE in 20 legs with lymphedema of 18 patients (stage II: 11, late stage II: 7, stage III: 2) and in 70 legs of 35 normal subjects. In patients with lymphedema, the same measurements were repeated immediately following MLD. RESULTS: Significant negative correlations were found between pre-MLD strains and the MLD-induced changes in thigh and calf skin strains (thigh skin: p <0.01, calf skin: p = 0.05), but not in subcutaneous tissue strains. Pre-MLD intercepts of these regression lines were closer to normal values as compared to mean pre-MLD values (normal thigh skin: 0.54% ± 0.30%, calf skin: 0.25% ± 0.18%, Pre-MLD thigh skin: 0.39% ± 0.20%, calf skin: 0.17% ± 0.12%, Pre-MLD intercept of thigh skin: 0.48%, Pre-MLD intercept of calf skin: 0.31%). CONCLUSIONS: It appears that MLD did not simply soften the skin, but rather normalized it in terms of strain. However, this was not confirmed in the subcutaneous tissue.

Distribution of Extracellular Fluid in Legs with Venous Edema and Lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the specific fluid distribution pattern in legs with lymphedema (LE) in comparison to normal legs and legs with venous edema (VE) using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). METHODS AND RESULTS: BIA was performed in 47 patients with lymphedema (LE; 63 legs), 33 patients with venous edema (VE; 60 legs), and 33 normal subjects (N; 66 legs). The ratio of intracellular fluid (ICF) resistance (Ri) to extracellular fluid (ECF) resistance (Re) of a whole leg normalized to the right arm (Ri/Re leg), a surrogate parameter for ECF/ICF, and the Ri/Re of the thigh and calf without normalization (Ri/Re thigh, Ri/Re calf, respectively) were obtained. Increases in Ri/Re leg (N 2.5 ± 0.7, VE 3.9 ± 3.7, LE 3.7 ± 1.5), Ri/Re thigh (N 1.8 ± 0.5, VE 3.2 ± 3.8, LE 3.8 ± 1.9), and Ri/Re calf (N 2.6 ± 0.6, VE 4.6 ± 1.7, LE 4.4 ± 2.2) were confirmed in VE and LE compared to normal subjects. However, the ratios of Ri/Re calf to Ri/Re thigh in normal subjects and those with untreated VE/LE were all ∼1.5 (N 1.5 ± 0.3, VE 1.5 ± 0.7, LE 1.6 ± 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Fluid content was increased in legs with VE and LE compared to normal subjects, while the mode of gravitational fluid distribution was similar among all legs. Thus, no specific finding for LE was confirmed.

Adherence to and efficacy of different compression methods for treating chronic venous insufficiency in the elderly.

Objectives To investigate the adherence to and efficacy of different compression methods in elderly patients. Methods A retrospective review of compression therapy in 120 elderly patients (≥65 years) with chronic venous insufficiency was performed to study the initially preferred compression method, adherence to each method, and its efficacy. Results Initially, an oversize strong stocking (24%), an appropriate size moderate stocking (19%), and bandages (37%) were equally preferred. Adherence at 1 month was 69%, 96%, and 91%, respectively, and they reduced ankle circumferences in C3 patients by 1.8 ± 1.9 cm, 0.3 ± 1.7 cm, and 2.9 ± 1.7 cm, respectively. The improvement rates of C4 symptoms were 79%, 60%, and 91%, respectively. Only three patients (2%) preferred an appropriate size strong stocking. Conclusions In elderly patients, an appropriate size strong stocking was not preferred. The best adherence was achieved by using a moderate stocking, while the best efficacy was achieved by using bandages.

Possible dual role of decorin in abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is characterized by chronic inflammation, which leads to pathological remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Decorin, a small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan, has been suggested to regulate inflammation and stabilize the extracellular matrix. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of decorin in the pathogenesis of AAA. Decorin was localized in the aortic adventitia under normal conditions in both mice and humans. AAA was induced in mice using CaCl2 treatment. Initially, decorin protein levels decreased, but as AAA progressed decorin levels increased in all layers. Local administration of exogenous decorin prevented the development of CaCl2-induced AAA. However, decorin was highly expressed in the degenerative lesions of human AAA walls, and this expression positively correlated with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression. In cell culture experiments, the addition of decorin inhibited secretion of MMP-9 in vascular smooth muscle cells, but had the opposite effect in macrophages. The results suggest that decorin plays a dual role in AAA. Adventitial decorin in normal aorta may protect against the development of AAA, but macrophages expressing decorin in AAA walls may facilitate the progression of AAA by up-regulating MMP-9 secretion.

A study of increase in leg volume during complex physical therapy for leg lymphedema using subcutaneous tissue ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to discuss the mode of increase in leg volume during complex physical therapy (CPT) for lymphedema using subcutaneous tissue ultrasonography. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (51 legs) with secondary lymphedema who were treated by CPT for longer than 2 years (3.0 ± 0.8 years) at our clinic were studied. The leg circumferences were measured at every visit. Subcutaneous tissue ultrasonography was performed at the initial and latest visits. RESULTS: The overall change in leg volume was -284 ± 915 (range, -4588 to 1139) mL. Among them, the increase in leg volume was found in 18 legs; of those, 9 (1 in stage I, 7 in stage II, 1 in stage III) were adherent to hosiery use. In the legs whose average volume was decreased (group A, n = 33; mean, -821 [-4588 to -19] mL), the circumference had decreased in all the leg levels. However, in the legs whose average volumes had increased (group B, n = 18; mean, +449 [18-1139] mL), the circumference had increased in the thigh but remained unchanged or even decreased in the lower leg. In group B, subcutaneous thickness (SCT), subcutaneous echogenicity (SEG), and subcutaneous echo-free space (SEFS), assessed by ultrasonography, were found to have increased particularly in the lower medial thigh compared with those in group A (SCT change: group A, -1.5 ± 5.9 cm vs group B, 3.7 ± 5.4 cm [P < .05]; SEG grade change: group A, -0.3 ± 0.7 vs group B, 0.3 ± 0.7 [P < .05]; SEFS grade change: group A, -0.1 ± 0.7 vs group B, 0.4 ± 0.6 [P < .05]), whereas these remained unchanged or even decreased in the lower leg. CONCLUSIONS: Increase in leg volume during CPT might not be caused simply by noncompliance to hosiery use and seemed closely related to the increase in thigh circumferences, particularly the lower thigh, in which SCT, SEG, and SEFS were increased.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue strain in legs with lymphedema and lipodermatosclerosis.

We compared skin and subcutaneous tissue strains in legs with lymphedema (LE) of varying severity and legs with lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) using real-time tissue elastography. Strain was assessed at the inner thigh and calf in 62 legs with LE (International Society of Lymphology [ISL] stage 0: 16, stage I: 5, stage II: 28, late stage II: 7, stage III: 6) and 15 legs with LDS. In thighs and calves with LE, skin strain and subcutaneous tissue strain did not significantly differ between ISL stage 0, that is, asymptomatic legs, and other stages. However, strain values in calves with LDS were lower than values in calves with stage 0, II and late II LE. These results indicate that skin and subcutaneous tissue strains were not lower in legs with symptomatic LE than in asymptomatic legs until an advanced stage.

Differentiation of High and Low Output Lymphatic Failure Using Qualitative Lymphangioscintigraphy.

PURPOSE: To use qualitative lymphangioscintigraphy (LAS) findings to differentiate leg edema caused by high and low output lymphatic failure. METHODS: LAS was performed in legs with secondary lymphedema (LE), i.e., low output failure (N = 79), and functional venous insufficiency (FVI), i.e., high output failure (N = 56), and normal legs (N = 26). Whole body images were obtained, 15, 60, and 180 min after technetium-99m injection. The rate and timing of visualization of lymphatic structures, washout out of tracer, and presence of dermal backflow were assessed. RESULTS: The most significant finding for differentiating LE from other conditions was not the visualization of lymphatic structures, but the washout of the tracer from the leg trunk (LE 27%, FVI 100%, normal leg 100%, P <.0001). On the other hand, the most significant finding for differentiating FVI from other legs was the visualization of inguinal lymph nodes at 15 min (LE 11%, FVI 82%, normal leg 8%, P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the lack of washout from the leg trunk was most suggestive of a low output status of the lymphatic system, while earlier visualization of inguinal lymph nodes was suggestive of a high output status.

Real-time tissue elastography assessment of skin and subcutaneous tissue strains in legs with lymphedema.

PURPOSE: To confirm the feasibility of assessing strains of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in normal legs and legs with lymphedema via free-hand real-time tissue elastography (RTE) using a phantom. METHODS: After placing a phantom on the skin, we measured the strains of the phantom (S p), skin (S sk), and subcutaneous tissue (S sc) of the inner thigh and calf by free-hand RTE in 35 healthy volunteers. A reference S p was set using these data. We then assessed S sk and S sc in each leg of 15 patients with unilateral stage II lymphedema. RESULTS: In the healthy volunteers, the strain was largest in the subcutaneous tissue of the thigh, followed by the subcutaneous tissue of the calf, skin of the thigh, and skin of the calf. These differences were each significant. In the patients with unilateral lymphedema, S sk and S sc in the thigh and calf were not different between the affected and unaffected legs. CONCLUSION: It was feasible to assess the strains of the skin and subcutaneous tissue using free-hand RTE and standardization of the compression force using a phantom. We failed to demonstrate decreased strains of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in legs with stage II lymphedema compared with healthy legs.

Subcutaneous tissue ultrasonography in legs with dependent edema and secondary lymphedema.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the differences in subcutaneous ultrasound findings between dependent edema (DE) and secondary lower extremity lymphedema (LE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty legs in 10 patients with DE and 54 legs in 35 patients with LE, who first visited our clinic between April 2009 and December 2012, were studied retrospectively. Subcutaneous echogenicity and echo-free space (EFS) were assessed at 8 points on the thigh and leg using an 8-12 MHz ultrasound transducer. RESULTS: In DE, echogenicity was increased most in the lower leg, without a difference between the medial and lateral side. The EFS was most remarkable in the lower leg, and the lateral side was more severe. In the early stages of LE, echogenicity was similarly increased in the medial thigh and in the leg, while remarkable EFS was observed only in the lower leg. As clinical severity progressed, echogenicity increased in all parts of the lower extremity. EFS also increased in all parts of the leg, but the lower leg was still the most severe. CONCLUSION: Echogenicity seemed to progress differently in DE and LE, but EFS progressed similarly and according to gravity. The current ultrasound findings may have added some diagnostic value in differentiating these conditions.