Congenital Lymphatic and Venous Abnormality of Leg

Abstract

Primary lymphoedema arises from congenital disorders of Veins and Lymphatic Vessels. The diagnosis of congenital oedema leg is confirmed by the absence of Venous and Lymphatic Vessels and by Vascular Doppler and Lymphoscintigraphy. Congenital lymphoedema of leg is defined as lymphoedema that is present at birth. It may be due to defect of the venous and lymphatic systems which results in excessive fluid load at the tissue level. The important evaluations that aid in the diagnosis of lymphoedema are detection of circulating adult filarial antigen, lymphoscintigraphy to identify patient lymphatic vessels and duplex ultrasound of leg to detect patency and competency of venous system. Physiotherapy and compression stocking can control swelling and prevent development of irreversible skin changes. Surgical intervention may help by creating alternate pathways. In this case report, a 35-year-old man reported for treatment of his bilateral oedema leg which was present since childhood. The patient consulted the surgeons and physicians of different super-specialist hospitals of the state. He was treated with antibiotics and analgesics for the last five years without any effect. After that, patient was presented to the author, where the diagnosis of patient was made as Congenital Lymphoedema based on Vascular Doppler and Lymphoscintigraphy.

Keywords

• filariasis
• lymphangitis
• lymphoedema
• lymphoscintigraphy
• vascular doppler