Lymphedema Part 2+Quiz Flashcards
Review: Lymphatic Vessels
Smallest to largest
Lymph Caps→ Lymph precollectors→ Lymph collectors→ Lymphatic trunks→ Lymphatic ducts
*Network runs Distal → Proximal
Direction of Lymphatic Network
Distal → Proximal
Lymphatic Vessels
Lymph Capillaries (smallest)
small, thin w swinging flaps→ capable of absorbing macromc’s
Lymphatic Vessels
Lymph PREcollectors
Oriented vertically; connect lymph caps to deeper lymph vessels; may or may not have valves*
Lymphatic Vessels
Lymph Collectors
Innervated by SNS; contain valves w/ “lymphangions”→ contract to help move lymph fluid proximally
→ Lymhangiomotoricity
Lymph Vessels
Lymphatic Trunks
Larger; innervated SNS; contain valves
Lymph Vessels
Lymphatic Ducts
LARGEST*
LARGEST; transport lymph fluid TO R & L venous angles; RETURN fluid into vascular system
Lymph Flow====
Distal → Proximal
Fluid Transport in the Lymphatic System
IMPORTANT PART***
-
NORMAL lymphatic system, in absence of patho:
- Working 1/10 as hard as it is MAXIMALLY capable of working***
Link bw Lymphatic & Circulatory Systems, and Edema
- Edema→ excess accumulation of interstitial fluid
- Edema is prevented if fluid OUT of capillaries EQUALS amt of fluid ABSORBED by venous & lymphatic capillaries
Edema→ inc’d cap hydrostatic pressure, inc interstitial osmotic pressure, incd venule permeability, overwhelmed lymphatic system
Link bw Lymphatic System & Edema
- Edema→ persists when lymphatic insuff.
- transport capacity SMALLER vs amt fluid needs to be transported
-
3 types:
- Dynamic (most common*), transient maybe
- Mechanical (something wrong w/ parts)
- Combined
Lymphatic Insufficiencies:
Dynamic Insuff.
- Amt of fluid (H20 or H20+PRO) needing to be transported (lymph load) EXCEEDS transport capacity of anatomically and functionally intact lymph system
Lymphatic Insufficiencies:
Dynamic Insuff.
Causes
Cardiac Insuff (CHF), Pregnancy, Immobility, Chronic Venous Insuff.
NOTE: Long-term dynamic insuff. can cause damage to lymphatic system===> Mechanical Insuff.
Lymphatic Insufficiencies:
Dynamic Insuff.
Treatment*
- Geared towards reducing lymphatic load
- Elevation: med clearance for cardiac insuff.
- Compression: med clear for cardiac insuff.
- Exercise*******
Acute Edema due to Trauma, Injury, Inflammation
This would be an ex. of ___________ Insuff.
DYNAMIC Insuff.
Acute Edema due to Trauma, Injury, Inflammation
-
Local edema due to trauma or injury→ NORMAL part of inflammatory process
-
Exudation→ incd permeability and vasodilation of blood vessels→ INCd filtration of fluid and PROs into interstitium surrounding injured area
- Goal: bring PROs and circulating cells TO site of injury
-
Exudation→ incd permeability and vasodilation of blood vessels→ INCd filtration of fluid and PROs into interstitium surrounding injured area
- Once cause of injury removed, normal healing takes place, tissues return to normal size and structure, edema resolves
Lymphatic Insuff
Mechanical Insuff (something wrong w/ parts)
- Reduced transport capacity due to functional or anatomical deficits in the lymphatic system
- cannot manage normal or inc’s in lymph load
Lymphatic Insuff
Mechanical Insuff (something wrong w/ parts)
Functional and/or anatomical deficits caused by:
- Sx
- lymph node dissection, sx interferes w/ lymph system due to scar tissue or removal lymph caps
- Radiation Tx
- scar/fibrosis of tissue and lymph vessels
- Trauma to lymph vessels
- long term lymphedema, valvular insuff, lymph stasis, lymph fibrosis
- Congenital/Genetic factors, inflammation, infx/parasite
Lymphatic Insuff
Mechanical Insuff (something wrong w/ parts)
Treatment:
Complete Digestive Therapy (CDT)
Lymphatic Insuff’s
CHART*
Just know Dynamic and Mechanical***
Lymphatic Insuff’s
Dynamic
Broken down into simpler facts
- Anatomically and functionally INTACT lymph system
- Lymphatic Load > Transport Capacity (TC)
- Tx: Elevate, Compression, Exercise
- MLD NOT effective*
Lymphatic Insuff’s
Mechanical Insuff.
Broken down
- Anatomically and/or functionally NON-intact lymph system (structurally different)
- TC < Norm lymphatic load
- Tx: Complete Decongestive Tx, MLD, Compression, Exercise**
- Avoid cond’s that inc net filtration
Lymphedema is now considered to be a _____________________
Chronic, Inflammatory disease
What is Lymphedema?
Def. #1
Swelling of soft tissues that results from the accumulation of PRO-rich fluid in the extracellular spaces.
Caused by DEC lymphatic transport capacity and/or INC lymph load and is most commonly see in the extremities, but can occur in head, neck, abdomen, genitals
What is Lymphedema?
Def #2:
When collection of PRO-rich fluid persists in specific area, it can attract more fluid and thus worsen swelling.
In addition to INCd fluid in area, body experiences an inflammatory rxt resulting in scar tissue called fibrosis in the affected area
Tell-Tale Sign→ Darker spots (fibrosis/scar tissue)***
Primary vs. Secondary (seen more commonly) Lymphedema
see chart and note highlighted areas
Primary Lymphedema
Etiology and Assocd W/:
-
Etiology:
-
“Lymphangiodysplasia”→ developmental abnorm in lymphatic system
- Hypoplasia→ less vessels (# or size)
- Hyperplasia→ greater than normal # or size of vessels
-
“Lymphangiodysplasia”→ developmental abnorm in lymphatic system
-
Assocd MOST w/:
- Classified by age of onset
Secondary Lymphedema (seen more commonly)
Etiology and Assocd W/:
-
Etiology:
- Lymph. sytem develops normally, and lymphedema develops due to 2* causes
-
Assocd MOST w/:
- CVI
- Lymph node dissection & Cx
- breast, head, neck, melanoma, Genito-urinary
- Under-developed countries, filariasis infx
Primary Lymphedema
Milroy’s Disease (Nonne-Milroy-Syndrome)
important stuff
- Congenital (appears @ birth)
- Boys>girls
- One leg and/or one arm and/or face and/or genitals
- Type I congenital hereditary lymphedema
Primary Lymphedema
Meige’s Syndrome
- Presents @ puberty
- Girls > Boys
- Hormonal?
- U/L LE
- Type II NON-congenital hereditary lymphedema
- Lymphedema Praecox (occurs before 35yo)
Primary Lymphedema
Lymphedema Tardum
- AFTER 35yo
- MAYBE B/L
Primary Lymphedema
3 types:
- Milroy’s Disease (Nonne-Milroy-Syndrome)
- Congenital (@ birth)
- one leg and/or one arm and/or face and/or genitals
- Meige’s Syndrome
- @ Puberty
- U/L LE
- Lymphedema Tardum
- AFTER 35yo
- maybe B/L
Secondary Lymphedema
Primary cause?
Filariasis
*mosquito-born parasite Filaria
Secondary Lymphedema
Primary vs Secondary Causes
-
Primary→ Filariasis
- Indigenous peoples
- Secondary→ Cx and comps from Cx and tx
Secondary Lymphedema
Western Hemisphere and Developed Countries
2* effect from Sx or radiation due to Cx & lymph node dissection
- Chronic venous insuff.
- Trauma to lymph tissue
- Self-induced lymphedema
1 cause of LE Edema IN GENERAL……
VENOUS DISEASES
Venous Diseases & Edema
- #1 Cause of LE edema in general****
- Common cause of Secondary Lymphedema
- DVT, Varicose Veins, Chronic Venous Insuff. w/ Hemosiderin Staining
Venous Diseases
#1 Cause of LE Edema
Characteristic Chart
See Chart
*Just KEEP READING IT!!!!
Venous Diseases→ #1 cause LE edema
- Asymptomatic, dull ache, tight feeling
- U/L, sudden onset
- Tenderness or pain in calf
- Leg or calf swelling
- Dilation of superf. veins
- Pitting edema
- Warm, red
- Hx of trauma, immobility, cx, post-sx, genetic predispo.
DVT
Venous Diseases→ #1 cause LE edema
- Asymptomatic, Gradual dull ache
- Heaviness, tension, fatigue
- Sx’s INC w/ standing
- Elevation provides relief
- Cramping→ esp @ night
- Skin changes/Hemosiderin staining
- Thinning of skin
- Can result blood clots, phlebitis, ulcers
Varicose Veins
Venous Diseases→ #1 cause LE edema
- Sx’s INC in standing- painful, burning, throbbing, sudden onset
- Progressive edema may be severe
- Hemosiderin staining→ brown discoloration due to breakdown HgB
- Venous stasis ulcers
- Thinning of skin or thickening
- Fibrosis of tissue
- Dermatitis or cellulitis
- May lead to lymphedema (venous system cannot mng fluid load, and lymph system overwhelmed)
Chronic Venous Insuff
Lymphedema
Gen Characteristics→
- SLOW onset, starts distally
- Asymmetrical/U/L
- Cellulitis common SE
- Early→ Pitting Later→ Fibrosis
- No pain, but achy, heavy
- Ulcerations not common unless w/ CVI
Whats the big deal about swelling?
SEs acute/chronic edema
- Impaired mobility of pt and/or body segment→ impaired function
- INCd pain
Whats the big deal about swelling?
SEs acute/chronic edema
Impaired delivery of nutrients to tissue and impaired ability to remove waste products
More edema in interst. space==> lg dist bw blood vessels and tissue==> delivery of nutrients and removal of waste diff.
Whats the big deal about swelling?
SEs acute/chronic edema
Risk of converting acute or vascular edema into lymphedema or phlebolymphedema
Skin and tissue fibrosis
Dermato. cond’s
INCd risk infx (cellulitis)
2* Tissue Change
Fibrosis
Collagen produced as norm resp. to inflamm. In lymphedema→ OVERproduction of collagen
- Tissue becomes→ firm, indurated, NON-pitting
- May be direct result:
- chronic edema
- radiation
2* Skin Changes
Hyperkeratosis
Overly thickened epidermis
- Occurs in presence of lymph stasis
- Wart like, hard calluses, Lichenization (see pics)
- Starts @ toes
- Meticulous skin care, Rx ointments
2* Effects of Lymphedema: Cellulitis
KNOW THIS ONE!!!!!!
Due to:
- *Cellulitis NOT correlated w/ amt of edema
-
Due to:
- Local bacteria/viral infx (cut/scrape, bug bite)
- Presence of PRO-rich fluid
- Moist warm environ.
- Dmg to lymph. system→ immune syst. deficit
2* Effects of Lymphedema: Cellulitis
KNOW THIS ONE!!!!!!
S/S
- Expanding reddened area, Pain, warm/hot touch, fever, gen feeling of being sick
2* Effects of Lymphedema: Cellulitis
KNOW THIS ONE!!!!!!
Tx:
- Antibx therapy
- *NOTE: Pts w/ chronic lymphedema often provided Rx for antibx, and are instructed to begin tx immediately upon suspicion of cellulitis, and call PCP immediately!