Veins and Lymphatics

Frank Cockett and the story of the ancient anatomical wax model of the left iliac vein compression

Paolo Zamboni — Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In 1988, Professor Donini organized an international phlebo-lymphology meeting at the University of Ferrara in Italy. At that time, I was a young surgical resident with the task of picking up Professor Frank Cockett at the railway station. I recognized him immediately, introduced myself and, together, we crossed the station square to my car.
I asked him where he wanted to be taken, and he asked me to go to the anatomical museum of the University. We arrived just before the closure time, and Mister Cockett was intrigued and enthusiastic about an anatomical wax specimen.

An original technique for the treatment of Axillary Web Syndrome: the Onorato-Ausbergher method

Alberto Onorato, Stefania Ausbergher, Elisa Dorigo — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS) is a common complication in patients who have undergone an axillary lymph node biopsy or dissection for breast cancer. This work aims to explore in a preliminary way the effectiveness of a therapeutic approach with Neuromuscular Taping (NMT) for the aforementioned condition. Specifically, five patients have been treated and have undergone specific evaluation of typical AWS signs and symptoms, with a particular focus on the impact on Quality of Life (QoL) and Activities of Daily Life (ADLs). The final aim is to evaluate the efficacy of an innovative approach to AWS, allowing easy application, good tolerability, and few collateral effects.

Lymphedema and Paget’s disease: beyond the nipple

Sansin Tuzun, Aslinur Keles, Narmin Ahmadli — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Lymphedema praecox is a rare lymphatic vascular anomaly diagnosed before the age of 35, presenting with unilateral involvement of the lower extremities. Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is also a rare osteometabolic disorder characterized by an accelerated rate of bone remodeling, and diagnosis of the disease is challenging. Here, we report a 49-year-old woman with primary lymphedema since the age of 33, who presented with pain and swelling in her right leg. Although the volume of the extremity diminished after complete decongestive therapy, the pain continued. Further evaluation with X-ray, bone scan, and biochemical markers supported the diagnosis of PDB. Following the zoledronic acid infusion, the pain score improved. However, there is no published association between these two diseases. Both lymphedema and PDB are associated with vascular disease and have a genetic background. This is the first case reporting the coexistence of lymphedema and PDB in the same extremity.