Complications of Lymphography

Abstract

Lymphography with Lipiodol Ultra Fluid was successfully performed in 110 out of a consecutive series of 115 female patients with a carcinoma arising from the genital tract. The complications associated with the procedure were recorded. In 98 the study was bilateral and in 12 unilateral. The investigation was repeated in 20 patients; in eight this was bilateral and in 12 unilateral. The total amount of contrast medium injected in any patient did not exceed 16 ml. Minor complications, which have been described by most other workers, developed in 30% of cases, but there has been little previous reference to two complications which occurred—thrombo-embolism and haemoptysis. The occurrence of thrombo-embolism in three patients may have been precipitated by venous stasis resulting from complete immobility of the limbs over a period of three to four hours. Haemoptysis which occurred in six patients probably resulted from breakdown of oil and release of fatty acids in the lungs. The repeat studies indicated that no permanent interference with the internodal or intranodal lymph circulation develops after lymphography. © 1966, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.