Lymphoscintigraphic analysis in chromoblastomycosis

Background One of the main complications of chromoblastomycosis is lymphedema. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lymphatic system of the limbs of patients with chromoblastomycosis using lymphoscintigraphy. It is a reliable, objective and noninvasive means of supporting the diagnosis of l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Journal of Dermatology Vol. 42; no. 8; pp. 622 - 625
Main Authors: Ogawa, Marília M., Alchorne, Maurício M. A., Barbieri, Antonio, Castiglioni, Mário L. V., Penna, Adriana Porto Benatti, Tomimori-Yamashita, Jane
Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-08-2003
Blackwell Science
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Summary:Background One of the main complications of chromoblastomycosis is lymphedema. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lymphatic system of the limbs of patients with chromoblastomycosis using lymphoscintigraphy. It is a reliable, objective and noninvasive means of supporting the diagnosis of lymphedema. Methods Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in seven patients with chromoblastomycosis, six with lesions in the lower limb and one in the upper limb. Tc‐99 m dextran was injected into the interdigital spaces of the upper or lower extremities. The qualitative parameters analyzed were the visibilization of the lymph vessels and the lymph nodes, dermal backflow, and existence of collateral vessels. All patients were treated with the association of itraconazole and cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. Results Three out of the 14 extremities examined had lymphedema clinically, and the lymphoscintigraphy showed abnormalities in the qualitative parameters; whereas these parameters were normal in the extremities without lymphedema. During the treatment of chromoblastomycosis, a second lymphoscintigraphy exam was performed on 10 limbs and did not show any improvement of the previous lymphoscintigraphic alterations. Conclusions The qualitative lymphoscintigraphy was a reliable method to show the morphology of the lymph vessels and confirm objectively the diagnosis of lymphedema secondary to chromoblastomycosis. The association of oral itraconazol and cryotherapy did not modify the lymphatic alterations in chromoblastomycosis.
Bibliography:istex:1BC446B5A5DD3B64ED2A4CBBE5F5FF592C5DED81
ark:/67375/WNG-5F74WCT8-4
ArticleID:IJD1814
ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0011-9059
1365-4632
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-4362.2003.01814.x