What causes lymphedema?

Diseases that affect the flow of blood through the veins can cause lymphoedema in some people. The abnormal or damaged veins can cause fluid to overflow from the veins into the tissue spaces. This overwhelms and eventually exhausts the parts of the lymphatic system responsible for draining this fluid.

What is lymphoseek?

Lymphoseek is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated with or without scintigraphic imaging for: Lymphatic mapping using a handheld gamma counter to locate lymph nodes draining a primary tumor site in patients with solid tumors for which this procedure is a component of intraoperative management.

What is lymphoscintigraphy?

Listen to pronunciation. (LIM-foh-sin-TIH-gruh-fee) A method used to check the lymph system for disease. A radioactive substance that flows through the lymph ducts and can be taken up by lymph nodes is injected into the body.

How do you treat lymphedema in the neck?

The gold standard treatment for lymphedema is complete (or ‘combined’) decongestive therapy (CDT). CDT is provided by certified therapists, and includes manual lymphatic drainage, compression (bandages / garments), exercise program development, and education on skin care and infection precautions.

How does lymphoseek work?

By tightly binding to these mannose receptors, LYMPHOSEEK accumulates in lymphatic tissue within minutes and localizes in tumor-draining lymph nodes. LYMPHOSEEK transits through the lymphatic vessels and accumulates in lymph nodes draining from a primary tumor.

How does a Neoprobe work?

Neoprobe’s Bluetooth capability provides advanced data to the surgeon when both Tc-99 and I-125 have been administered simultaneously. The Neoprobe GDS will provide individual counts for each isotope as well as a filter indicating whether the user is closer to the injection site or a radio seed, all in real time.

What happens at a Lymphoscintigram?

Lymphoscintigraphy is a common procedure used to help stage breast cancer. During this test, a special dye is injected into the breast tissue. A special machine then looks to see how the dye travels into nearby lymph nodes, to help find the first lymph node that leaves the breast.

What can I expect from lymphoscintigraphy?

Images may be taken of the arms and underarms, legs and groins, or head, neck and chest, or other areas, depending on the site of the melanoma. Your skin will be marked to show where your lymph nodes are located. Imaging for this procedure usually takes about one to two hours, but may take up to three to four hours.