Lymphoedema
Primary
- Congenital
- Lymphoedema praecox - puberty
- lymphoedema tarda - >30 years
Secondary
- e.g secondary neoplasms in lymph nodes
- infections in lymph nodes
- following surgical removal
Symptoms
- progressive swelling of one or both extremities
- usually beginning around ankle
- scrotum may be involved
- oedema is non-pitting
- does not settle with elevation
- leg aches and feels tight (but no pain)
- minor trauma leads to cellulitis
Investigation
Treatment
- Compression stockings or flowtron
- Treat any minor wounds with antibiotics
- ?surgical treatment
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