HOW DO WE DIAGNOSE A LYMPHEDEMA?
The most important step is to have a complete clinical history:
Beginning of the process, find the triggering factors
Complementary exploration depending on the cause: ultrasound, Eco-Doppler, TAC, RM, conventional Lymphograph (not used currently), Isotopic Lymphograph (used for scientific investigations).
Clinical characteristics:
Lymphoedema is an oedema that in the beginning has an elastic consistency that usually develops into a hard and fibrous shape (in the case of cellulitis, there have their own characteristics that can differ from those involved with conventional lymphoedema). They do not usually leave fovea if it is a pure lymphoedema and do not vary, or do so minimally, with a change in posture. Habitually, evolution is small and progressive.