Lymphedema Pathology & Staging Flashcards
6 cards from real CLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Lymphedema Pathology & Staging flashcards as text
Acute inflammatory episodes in lymphedema limbs caused by bacterial skin infections are called what?
Answer: Cellulitis/erysipelas flares
Cellulitis and erysipelas are bacterial skin infections (often streptococcal) that are more frequent in lymphedematous limbs due to impaired local immunity and protein-rich fluid.
Stewart-Treves syndrome is a rare but serious complication of chronic lymphedema that involves development of what?
Answer: Lymphangiosarcoma (malignant vascular tumor)
Stewart-Treves syndrome is a rare lymphangiosarcoma that can develop in the setting of chronic post-mastectomy lymphedema, requiring urgent oncology referral.
Volume measurement using water displacement (volumetry) is considered the gold standard for tracking limb lymphedema. What is the typical diagnostic threshold for upper extremity lymphedema?
Answer: >200 mL difference between limbs
A volume difference of greater than 200 mL between the affected and contralateral arm is a widely used diagnostic threshold for upper extremity lymphedema.
Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is used in lymphedema assessment to measure what?
Answer: Extracellular fluid accumulation in the limb
BIS measures the resistance of electrical current through body tissues to quantify extracellular fluid, detecting increases that precede visible lymphedema.
Which term describes the safety factor that prevents edema from forming despite minor increases in capillary filtration?
Answer: Lymphatic reserve capacity (safety valve function)
The lymphatic safety valve capacity allows the system to handle increased filtration loads by up to 10-fold before edema forms, compensating for minor disruptions.
Phlebolymphedema is best described as what condition?
Answer: Combined edema resulting from primary venous insufficiency that secondarily overwhelms lymphatic capacity
Phlebolymphedema develops when chronic venous hypertension increases capillary filtration beyond lymphatic capacity, causing secondary lymphatic overload and eventual dysfunction.