Nagata Y, Murata R, Mitsumori M, Okajima K, Ishigaki T, Ohya N, Fujiwara K, Abe M, Kumada K
Department of Radiology, Kyoto University Hospital, Japan.
Eur J Surg. 1994 Feb;160(2):105-9.
To evaluate the results of the treatment of lymphoedema by intra-arterial infusion of autologous lymphocytes.
Open study.
University Hospital.
13 patients with refractory lymphoedema.
Lymphocytes were separated from the patient's own blood using a blood cell separator; about 100 cc of lymphocyte dominant blood separated from this blood was immediately infused into the proximal artery of the affected limb. Infusion was practiced once a week, and repeated 4 to 6 times.
Change in size of the affected limb (defined as the difference between the affected limb and the normal limb after treatment), and softening of the edema (measured with a tension gauge).
In all 13 patients there was softening of the affected hard limb followed by a reduction in the size of the limb (mean 64%), and the ache and sensation of heat in the limb lessened. The reduction in size was maintained in 9 of the 13 patients for three months, despite returning to their normal activities.
Intra-arterial infusion of autologous lymphocytes is a promising treatment for refractory lymphoedema.
