Title:The Significance of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in the Application of
Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis
Volume: 20
Author(s): Yu Xiahou, Xinchun Yuan, Jia Zhu, Weihong Hu and Lili Zhang*
Affiliation:
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No.17 Yong Wai Zheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
Keywords:
Lymphedema, Contrast-enhanced ultrasound, Superficial lymphatic vessels, LVA, Microsurgery, Indocyanine green.
Abstract:
Background:
Lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) surgery is an effective treatment for lymphedema. Accurate evaluation and localization of the superficial
lymphatic vessels before the operation is crucial for the success of the operation. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a new ultrasound
technology, and its clinical application value in LVA surgery has not been established.
Objective:
This study aimed to assess the efficacy of CEUS in LVA surgery and provide a novel approach for the clinical assessment and localization of
superficial lymphatic vessels.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis of imaging and surgical data was performed on 20 LVA patients. Among them, 10 cases underwent evaluation and
localization using indocyanine green (ICG) lymphatic imaging (Group A), while 10 cases were evaluated and localized using CEUS (Group B).
The differences in surgical data between the two groups were compared and analyzed.
Results:
All 20 patients were female (mean age, 57.7 years ± 6.3 [SD]). CEUS demonstrated superior visualization and localization of superficial lymphatic
vessels. The average diameter of lymphatic vessels identified in the CEUS group was significantly greater than that in the ICG group (0.78±0.06
vs. 0.52±0.05mm; P<0.001). The duration of operation in group B was significantly shorter than that in group A (4.47±0.37 vs. 6.70±0.45mm;
P<0.001). The number of anastomosed lymphatic vessels in group B was less than that in group A [5.0(4.0, 6.0) vs. 9.5 (9.0, 11.3); P<0.001].
Conclusion:
CEUS can serve as a viable alternative to ICG lymphatic imaging, facilitating improved lymphatic venous anastomosis surgery.
