Lymphoedema/Chronic Edema

Question 1

What is lymphoedema?

Answer 1

Swelling due to lymph

Question 2

What is chronic oedema?

Answer 2

Oedema > 3 months

All lymphoedema is chronic, not all chronic oedema is lymphoedema

Question 3

What are three classes of causes of chronic oedema?

Answer 3

Lymphoedema - Increased protein in lymph, inadequate drainage eg cancer clearence

Lymphavenous - Venous hypertension/Cardiac failure and increased pressure

Dependance - Immobility so no venous return

Question 4

What can lymphoedema lead to?

Answer 4

Venous ulcers

Varicose eczema

Haemosidrin deposits

Liperdermatosclerosis

Question 5

What are some risk factors for lymphoedema?

Answer 5

Obesity

Valve incompetence

Cancer clearence

Lymphatic aplasia, hyperplasia, hypolasia

Filiriasis

Radiotherapy damage

Prenancy

Question 6

What are three signs/symptoms of oedema

Answer 6

Pitting oedema (non pitting in chronic)

Reduces with elevation/compression

Stemmers sign - skin stays pinched