Table 1.

Summary of imaging findings and surgical plan in patients with lymphedema

Staging	ICG	PET-CT	MRL	Surgical Plan
Stage I	Linear/Splash	Less visualized lymphatic vessels; delay of probe transport on PET; no obvious DB appearance of the subcutis; lymph node accumulation defect on the affected side	Less visualized lymphatic vessels; delay of contrast agent transport	LVA
Stage II	Stardust	“Honeycomb Pattern”; probe accumulation between fat surrounded by fibrotic tissue; lymph node accumulation defect on the affected side	“Honeycomb Pattern”; contrast agent accumulation between fat surrounded by fibrotic tissue	LVA + SAPL
Stage III	Diffuse	Large, irregular, patchy shaped DB; locally increased tracer uptake; dilated lymph vessels and damaged lymph vessels even with severe fibrosis; tortuous and deep-seated lymph vessels; lymph node accumulation defect on the affected side	Large, irregular, patchy shaped DB; increased subcutaneous thickness and diffuse fibrosis; dilated lymph vessels and damaged lymph vessels even with severe fibrosis; tortuous and deep-seated lymph vessels	SAPL

DB, dermal backflow; LVA, lymphaticovenous anastomosis; SAPL, suction-assisted protein lipectomy