Previous studies have shown cost effectiveness and quality-of-life benefit of pneumatic compression therapy (PCT) for lymphedema (LE). Insurers, such as the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid (CMS), however, desire visual proof that PCT moves lymph. Near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging (NIRFLI) was used to visualize lymphatic anatomy and function in four subjects with primary and cancer treatment-related LE of the lower extremities before, during, and after PCT. Optically transparent and windowed PCT garments allowed visualization of lymph movement during single, 1[Formula: see text]h PCT treatment sessions. Visualization revealed significant extravascular and lymphatic vascular movement of intradermally injected dye in all subjects. In one subject with sufficient patent lymphatic vessels to allow quantification of lymph pumping velocities and frequencies, these values were significantly increased during and after PCT as compared to pre-treatment values. Lymphatic contractile activity in patent lymphatic vessels occurred in concert with the sequential cycling of PCT. Direct visualization revealed increased lymphatic function, during and after PCT therapy, in all LE-affected extremities. Further studies are warranted to assess the effects of PCT pressure and sequences on lymph uptake and movement.

中文翻译：

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通过近红外荧光淋巴成像评估气压疗法对淋巴水肿四肢淋巴运动的影响


先前的研究表明气动加压疗法 (PCT) 治疗淋巴水肿 (LE) 具有成本效益和生活质量优势。然而，医疗保险/医疗补助中心 (CMS) 等保险公司需要 PCT 移动淋巴的视觉证据。近红外荧光淋巴成像 (NIRFLI) 用于在 PCT 之前、期间和之后对四名患有原发性和癌症治疗相关下肢 LE 的受试者进行淋巴解剖和功能的可视化。光学透明和开窗的 PCT 服装可以在单次 1[公式：见文本]小时 PCT 治疗期间观察淋巴运动。可视化显示所有受试者皮内注射染料均出现显着的血管外和淋巴管运动。在一名具有足够开放淋巴管以量化淋巴泵速度和频率的受试者中，与治疗前的值相比，这些值在 PCT 期间和之后显着增加。未闭淋巴管中的淋巴收缩活动与 PCT 的顺序循环一致发生。直接可视化显示，在 PCT 治疗期间和之后，所有 LE 受影响的四肢的淋巴功能均有所增强。需要进一步的研究来评估 PCT 压力和序列对淋巴摄取和运动的影响。