Radionuclide lymphangiography in the evaluation of pediatric patients with lower-extremity edema: concis communication.

The results of 99mTc-sulfur colloid lymphangiography in seven pediatric patients with lower-extremity edema were reviewed. Three scintigraphic patterns were identified: (A) normal uptake in the ilioinguinal nodes bilaterally, found in edema as a result of extrinsic venous obstruction; (B) diffusely increased activity over the involved extremity, with decreased visualization of the ipsilateral ilioinguinal nodes, found in secondary lymphedema; and (c) markedly decreased uptake by the ilioinguinal nodes on the affected side, found in primary (idiopathic) lymphedema. These preliminary results suggest that radionuclide lymphangiography is a useful procedure in the evaluation of pediatric patients with limb swelling.