Segmental Measurement of Breast Cancer-related Arm Lymphoedema Using Perometry and Bioimpedance Spectroscopy

Overview

Journal Support Care Cancer

Specialties Critical Care
Oncology

Date 2010 May 15

PMID 20467755

Citations 21

Authors

Sharon A Czerniec

Leigh C Ward

Mi-Joung Lee

Kathryn M Refshauge

Jane Beith

Sharon L Kilbreath

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine if bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) could detect localised lymphoedema of the arm and to compare BIS measurements with equivalent measures of limb volume by perometry.

Methods: Women with mild to severe upper limb lymphoedema (n = 29) and women with no history of lymphoedema (n = 11) participated. Commencing at the ulnar styloid of the wrist, 4 × 10 cm segment measurements were made of each arm using both BIS and perometry.

Results: Average BIS inter-limb ratios for the total arm and each arm segment were higher than comparable perometry measures in women with lymphoedema, but similar to perometry measures for women without lymphoedema. Limits of agreement analysis showed that the mean difference between methods varied according to segment measured, ranging from 8.5% for the uppermost segment of the arm to 16.6% for the forearm segment just below the elbow. For all limb segments, there was a positive bias towards BIS measurements, which increased as lymphoedema severity increased.

Conclusion: BIS can be used for localised measurement of lymphoedema. Because it is specific to extracellular fluid, BIS is more sensitive to localised lymphoedema than perometry.

Citing Articles

Effects of Forearm Resistance Exercises on Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Using Segmental Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Son W, Kim S, Kim A, Cheon H, Jeon J J Clin Med. 2024; 13(23).

PMID: 39685656 PMC: 11641850. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13237200.

Current diagnostic and quantitative techniques in the field of lymphedema management: a critical review.

Vargo M, Aldrich M, Donahue P, Iker E, Koelmeyer L, Crescenzi R Med Oncol. 2024; 41(10):241.

PMID: 39235664 PMC: 11377676. DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02472-9.

Non-invasive technology to assess hydration status in advanced cancer to explore relationships between fluid status and symptoms: an observational study using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Nwosu A, Stanley S, Mayland C, Mason S, McDougall A, Ellershaw J BMC Palliat Care. 2024; 23(1):209.

PMID: 39160544 PMC: 11331739. DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01542-z.

Localised Objective Characterisation Assessment of Lymphoedema (LOCAL): Using High-Frequency Ultrasound, Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy and Volume to Evaluate Superficial Tissue Composition.

Sanderson J, Tuttle N, Box R, Reul-Hirche H, Laakso E Diagnostics (Basel). 2024; 14(15).

PMID: 39125492 PMC: 11311978. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14151616.

Comparison of Volume Measurements and Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Using A Stand-on Device for Assessment of Unilateral Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Ward L, Thompson B, Gaitatzis K, Koelmeyer L Eur J Breast Health. 2024; 20(2):141-148.

PMID: 38571690 PMC: 10985575. DOI: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2023-12-8.

References

Stanton A, Northfield J, Holroyd B, Mortimer P, Levick J . Validation of an optoelectronic limb volumeter (Perometer). Lymphology. 1997; 30(2):77-97. View

Stanton A, Badger C, Sitzia J . Non-invasive assessment of the lymphedematous limb. Lymphology. 2000; 33(3):122-35. View

Stanton A, Svensson W, Mellor R, Peters A, Levick J, Mortimer P . Differences in lymph drainage between swollen and non-swollen regions in arms with breast-cancer-related lymphoedema. Clin Sci (Lond). 2001; 101(2):131-40. View

Deltombe T, Jamart J, Recloux S, LeGrand C, Vandenbroeck N, Theys S . Reliability and limits of agreement of circumferential, water displacement, and optoelectronic volumetry in the measurement of upper limb lymphedema. Lymphology. 2007; 40(1):26-34. View

Ward L, Czerniec S, Kilbreath S . Operational equivalence of bioimpedance indices and perometry for the assessment of unilateral arm lymphedema. Lymphat Res Biol. 2009; 7(2):81-5. DOI: 10.1089/lrb.2008.1027. View

Hayes S, Janda M, Cornish B, Battistutta D, Newman B . Lymphedema after breast cancer: incidence, risk factors, and effect on upper body function. J Clin Oncol. 2008; 26(21):3536-42. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2007.14.4899. View

Cornish B, Chapman M, Hirst C, Mirolo B, Bunce I, Ward L . Early diagnosis of lymphedema using multiple frequency bioimpedance. Lymphology. 2001; 34(1):2-11. View

Stanton A, Modi S, Mellor R, Levick J, Mortimer P . Recent advances in breast cancer-related lymphedema of the arm: lymphatic pump failure and predisposing factors. Lymphat Res Biol. 2009; 7(1):29-45. DOI: 10.1089/lrb.2008.1026. View

Ward L, Czerniec S, Kilbreath S . Quantitative bioimpedance spectroscopy for the assessment of lymphoedema. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008; 117(3):541-7. DOI: 10.1007/s10549-008-0258-0. View

10.

Cornish B, Bunce I, Ward L, Jones L, Thomas B . Bioelectrical impedance for monitoring the efficacy of lymphoedema treatment programmes. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 1996; 38(2):169-76. DOI: 10.1007/BF01806671. View

11.

Stanton A, Mellor R, Cook G, Svensson W, Peters A, Levick J . Impairment of lymph drainage in subfascial compartment of forearm in breast cancer-related lymphedema. Lymphat Res Biol. 2004; 1(2):121-32. PMC: 1351042. DOI: 10.1089/153968503321642615. View

12.

Stout Gergich N, Pfalzer L, McGarvey C, Springer B, Gerber L, Soballe P . Preoperative assessment enables the early diagnosis and successful treatment of lymphedema. Cancer. 2008; 112(12):2809-19. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.23494. View

13.

Tewari N, Gill P, Bochner M, Kollias J . Comparison of volume displacement versus circumferential arm measurements for lymphoedema: implications for the SNAC trial. ANZ J Surg. 2008; 78(10):889-93. DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2008.04686.x. View

14.

Lee T, Kilbreath S, Sullivan G, Refshauge K, Beith J, Harris L . Factors that affect intention to avoid strenuous arm activity after breast cancer surgery. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2009; 36(4):454-62. DOI: 10.1188/09.ONF.454-462. View

15.

Ward L . Bioelectrical impedance analysis: proven utility in lymphedema risk assessment and therapeutic monitoring. Lymphat Res Biol. 2006; 4(1):51-6. DOI: 10.1089/lrb.2006.4.51. View

16.

Armer J, Stewart B . A comparison of four diagnostic criteria for lymphedema in a post-breast cancer population. Lymphat Res Biol. 2005; 3(4):208-17. DOI: 10.1089/lrb.2005.3.208. View

17.

York S, Ward L, Czerniec S, Lee M, Refshauge K, Kilbreath S . Single frequency versus bioimpedance spectroscopy for the assessment of lymphedema. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008; 117(1):177-82. DOI: 10.1007/s10549-008-0090-6. View

18.

Ramos S, ODonnell L, Knight G . Edema volume, not timing, is the key to success in lymphedema treatment. Am J Surg. 1999; 178(4):311-5. DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9610(99)00185-3. View

19.

Bland J, Altman D . Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement. Lancet. 1986; 1(8476):307-10. View

20.

Cornish B, Chapman M, Thomas B, Ward L, Bunce I, Hirst C . Early diagnosis of lymphedema in postsurgery breast cancer patients. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2000; 904:571-5. DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb06518.x. View