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J Reconstr Microsurg 2020; 36(02): 136-141
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1697904
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Uncovering Lymphatic Transport Abnormalities in Patients with Primary Lipedema

Daniel J. Gould
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
,
Bassim El-Sabawi
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
,
Pedram Goel
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
,
Ido Badash
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
,
Patrick Colletti
2   Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
,
Ketan M. Patel
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.
Further Information

Publication History

10 December 2018

20 August 2019

Publication Date:
23 September 2019 (online)

Also available atMedOne
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Abstract

Background Although lipedema is often clinically distinguished from lymphedema, there is considerable overlap between the two entities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate lymphoscintigraphic findings in patients with lipedema to better characterize lymphatic flow in this patient population.

Methods Patients with lipedema receiving lymphoscintigraphy between January 2015 and October 2017 were included. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and lymphoscintigraphic findings were extracted. Klienhan's transport index (TI) was utilized to assess lymphatic flow in patient's lower extremities (LEs).Scores ranged from 0 to 45, with values > 10 denoting pathologic lymphatic transport.

Results A total of 19 total patients with lipedema underwent lymphoscintigraphic evaluation. Mean age was 54.8 years and mean body mass index was 35.9 kg/m2. Severity of lipedema was classified as stage 1 in five patients (26.3%), stage 2 in four patients (21.1%), stage 3 in four patients (21.1%), and stage 4 in six patients (31.6%). The mean TI for all extremities was 12.5; 24 (63.2%) LEs had a pathologic TI, including 7 LEs with stage 1 (29.2%), 3 LEs with stage 2 (12.5%), 6 LEs with stage 3 (25.0%), and 8 LEs with stage 4 lipedema (33.3%). The mean TI was significantly greater for extremities with severe (stage 3/4) lipedema than those with mild or moderate (stage 1/2) lipedema (15.1 vs. 9.7, p = 0.049). Mean difference in TI scores between each LE for individual patients was 6.43 (standard deviation +7.96).

Conclusion Our results suggest that patients with lipedema have impaired lymphatic transport, and more severe lipedema may be associated with greater lymphatic transport abnormalities.

Keywords

lipedema - lymphedema - lymphatic transport abnormalities

Note

This study was presented at the Plastic Surgery the Meeting in Orlando, Florida, October 6–10, 2017.