Publications by authors named "Koukichi Hashimoto"
In patients with secondary upper limb lymphedema, positive correlations have been observed between the dermal back flow (DBF) type and visualization of lymph nodes around the clavicle, between the former and the lymph flow pathway type, and between the latter and the visualization of lymph nodes around the clavicle when using single photon-emission computed tomography/computed tomography/lymphoscintigraphy (SPECT-CT LSG). We analyzed the associations between the visualization of inguinal lymph nodes, the lymph flow pathway type, and the DBF type using SPECT-CT LSG in 81 patients with unilateral secondary lower limb lymphedema by statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test. We revealed that the lymph flow pathways in the lower limb can be classified into nine types because the type in the lower leg is not always equal to the type in the thigh.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Secondary upper limb lymphoedema is caused by dysfunction in the lymphatic system, and while diagnosis relies on clinical features, there aren't clear criteria for it.
- The study introduces a new technique called SPECT-CT LSG, which provides 3D images of lymph flow pathways compared to the traditional 2D lymphoscintigraphy.
- Results showed that as lymphoedema worsens, lymphatic flow changes, with more distal backflow in the upper limb and decreased flow to lymph nodes near the clavicle, highlighting important pathological features of lymphoedema.