Table 4.
99TCm-DX Lymphoscintigraphic manifestations in SLE and RA Patients with Lymphatic System Involvement
| 99TCm-DX Lymphoscintigraphic manifestations | SLE with lymphatic system involvement (n = 25) | RA with lymphatic system involvement (n = 18) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| No visualization or visualization at 1 h of the left jugular venous angle | 0(0.0) | 12(66.7) | 0.000 |
| Continuous visualization of bilateral jugular venous angles | 1(4.0) | 0(0.0) | 1.000 |
| Continuous visualization of left jugular venous angle | 23(92.0) | 6(33.3) | 0.000 |
| Continuous visualization of the right venous angle, no visualization of the left venous angle | 1(4.0) | 0(0.0) | 1.000 |
| Dilation and persistent visualization of the thoracic segment of thoracic duct | 2(8.0) | 1(5.6) | 1.000 |
| Radiographic contrast reflux of left subclavian trunk | 2(8.0) | 0(0.0) | 0.502 |
| Radiographic contrast reflux of bronchial mediastinal trunk | 1(4.0) | 0(0.0) | 1.000 |
| Dilation of iliac lymphatic vessels and lumbar trunks | 1(4.0) | 0(0.0) | 1.000 |
| Limb lymphedema (unilateral/bilateral, upper/lower limb) | 4(16.0) | 14(77.8) | 0.000 |
| Unilateral upper limb lymphedema | 0(0.0) | 1(5.6) | 0.419 |
| No lymphatic reflux in the edematous upper limb; slow lymphatic return in the contralateral upper limb | 0(0.0) | 1(5.6) | 0.419 |
| Bilateral upper limb lymphedema | 0(0.0) | 3(16.7) | 0.066 |
| No lymphatic reflux in both upper limbs | 0(0.0) | 2(11.1) | 0.169 |
| Slow lymphatic reflux in both upper limbs | 0(0.0) | 1(5.6) | 0.419 |
| Unilateral lower limb lymphedema | 3(12.0) | 6(33.3) | 0.133 |
| No lymphatic reflux in the edematous lower limb; slow lymphatic return in the contralateral lower limb | 1(4.0) | 2(11.1) | 0.562 |
| No lymphatic reflux in the edematous lower limb; normal lymphatic reflux in the contralateral lower limb | 0(0.0) | 3(16.7) | 0.066 |
| Slow lymphatic return in the edematous lower limb; normal lymphatic reflux in the contralateral lower limb | 2(8.0) | 1(5.6) | 1.000 |
| Bilateral lower limb lymphedema | 1(4.0) | 4(22.2) | 0.144 |
| No lymphatic reflux in the edematous lower limb; slow lymphatic return in the contralateral lower limb | 0(0.0) | 1(5.6) | 0.419 |
| Slow lymphatic reflux in both lower limbs | 1(4.0) | 3(16.7) | 0.293 |
| No lymphedema in the both lower limbs, slow lymphatic return | 14(56.0) | 1(5.6) | 0.001 |
| chylous effusion (pleural/peritoneal/pericardial) | 22(88.0) | 4(22.2) | 0.000 |
| Chylous hydrothorax | 12(48.0) | 2(11.1) | 0.011 |
| Chylous ascites | 1(4.0) | 2(11.1) | 0.562 |
| Chylous pleural and peritoneal effusions | 6(24.0) | 0(0.0) | 0.032 |
| Chylopericardium | 2(8.0) | 0(0.0) | 0.502 |
| Chylopericardium and chylous hydrothorax | 1(4.0) | 0(0.0) | 1.000 |
The values with statistical significance (P < 0.05) are displayed in bold