The Effectiveness of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression in Therapy of Lymphedema of Lower Limbs: Methods of Evaluation and Results.

Background: Evaluation of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) in lymphedema is classically based on measurements of circumferences and volume of the edematous limb. However, although important, it provides only a general information without insight into what proceeds under the skin with respect to hydromechanical and structural changes.

Aim And Methods: We present the multimodal evaluation of the effectiveness of IPC device in limb edema by measuring tissue stiffness, fluid pressure, and flow volume, and lymphoscintigraphic and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography imaging of edema fluid movement, before and after one 45-60 minute compression cycle in over 50 patients with lymphedema stage II and III.

Virulence of Bacteria Colonizing Vascular Bundles in Ischemic Lower Limbs.

Background: We documented previously the presence of bacterial flora in vascular bundles, lymphatics, and lymph nodes of ischemic lower limbs amputated because of multifocal atheromatic changes that made them unsuitable for reconstructive surgery and discussed their potential role in tissue destruction. The question arose why bacterial strains inhabiting lower limb skin and considered to be saprophytes become pathogenic once they colonize deep tissues. Bacterial pathogenicity is evoked by activation of multiple virulence factors encoded by groups of genes.

Genetic Polymorphism and Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Concentrations of TNFα and TGFβ Genes in Patients with Chronic Lower Limb Infections.

Background: The number of chronic lower limb infections and their complications as venous and diabetic ulcers and chronic calf dermatitis is increasing worldwide. The clinical course and outcome in the immune responses to infection have been shown to be associated with genetic polymorphisms. The aim of study was to investigate frequencies of chosen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TNFα and TGFβ genes in patients with chronic lower limb infections and evaluate expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) concentrations in chronic leg ulcers.