Clinical use of indirect lymphography in different forms of leg edema.

Indirect lymphography by subepidermal infusion of newly developed nonionic, dimeric contrast media (e.g., Iotrolan) opacifies peripheral lymphatics of the skin. Using this method we examined 159 patients with primary and secondary lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, and lipedema and compared the findings to normal individuals. A variety of characteristic patterns were uncovered. The technique causes little patient discomfort and takes on the average only 30 minutes.