Lymphovenous shunts in man

Abstract

Lymphovenous shunts have been detected in patients by lymphography with Ultrafluid Lipiodol. No shunts were found in patients with normal lymphatic systems. They were found in patients with lymphoedema, with lymph nodes involved by malignant disease, and in patients who had had surgical interruption of lymphatic pathways, either vessels or nodes. The total incidence of lymphovenous shunts in 700 lymphographic studies was 2·3%. The incidence in the various pathological groups was highest in those with obvious lymph node involvement. In certain situations, particularly primary lymphoedema, the role of a lymphovenous shunt appears favourable to prognosis. In other situations a deleterious effect may be produced.