[Role of lymphography in determining a lymph flow blockage and the level of lympholymphatic shunting in edema of the extremities].

Different lymphographic methods were used for determining the disturbances of the lymph flow and the levels of the lympho-lymphatic shunts in 139 patients having edema of the upper (70) and lower (69) extremities. A conclusion is made that the generally accepted method of lymphography by means of the administration of a contrast substance into the vessels of one collector in some cases can not reveal the first symptoms of partial block of the lymph flow in clinical manifestation of edema. The successive lymphography of several collectors is necessary. With its aid the author has found that under normal conditions and in mild edemas they fulfil drainage separately, and in the expanded zone of edema they compensate the activity of one another.