[Clinical aspects and etiology of lymphedema of the lower limbs in adults].

Classical lymphedema, more than the most frequent complications, is the clinical manifestation of decompensated lymphopathies of the lower extremities. These edemas are supra-aponeurotic and always completely painless, when isolated. There are three types:distal lymphedema occurring on congenital lymphopathy, the most frequent, with are sudden onset with lymphangitis, usually insidious, intermittent, soon characterized by fibrosing edema of the toes and the ankle. Proximal lymphedema secondary to iliac nodes blocking, rarely benign, most of the time malignant and/or iatrogenic (surgery and/or radiotherapy), predominantly at the origin of the thigh, respecting the foot. Post-traumatic hanging lymphedema after extended impairment of the superficial paths, most often transient.