aCtuaLitéS en LYmphoLogie

Abstract

The diagnosis of lymphedema is primarily clinical. The complementary explorations have two objectives:
look for a cause of lymphedema and explore the lymphatic system or the composition of lymphedema.
Faced with the appearance of lymphedema of the lower limbs considered primary, it is important to
look for abdomino-pelvic compression by ultrasound, CT scan or MRI or even PET scan.
Other additional examinations aimed at eliminating the other causes of edema of cardiac and renal origin
(testing for proteinuria) or liver are sometimes necessary.
In the upper limbs, the search for breast cancer, of which lymphedema may be the first manifestation, is essential by mammography, ultrasound mammography, or even breast MRI