Is Ultrasonography a Useful Method to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Complex Decongestive Therapy in Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema?

In recent years the use of ultrasonography has become widespread in the field of lymphedema especially as an aid for diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ultrasonography is a useful method to assess the efficacy of complex decongestive therapy (CDT). Circumferences and ultrasonographic evaluations (cutis and subcutis thickness) were performed at 10 cm proximal and distal to the elbow and limb volume (upper and forearm) was calculated from circumferences at six anatomic landmarks by using truncated cone formula. Measurements were recorded before and after CDT on both sides. A total of twenty-six women (mean age 51.3 ± 10.8) with the diagnosis of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) were enrolled in the study. Significant reduction in the subcutis thickness was observed on the affected side after the treatment period, and the percentage change in subcutis thickness was correlated with the percentage change in edema. This study also demonstrated that the soft tissue thickness was higher in the affected arm and ultrasonographic findings were consistent with the other measurement methods (circumferences and limb volumes). Considering that ultrasound imaging is patient-friendly, non-invasive, and cost-effective, we recommend its more widespread use for evaluating treatment efficacy in BCRL.