Lymphorrhea refers to cutaneous leakage of lymph.
Clinical findings:
(1) cutaneous leakage of a whitish fluid from a body region with lymphedema
(2) often the presence a lymphocele or lymphocutaneous fistula
Laboratory findings:
(1) fluid shows chylomicrons and high triglycerides
(2) absence of pus with negative Gram stain
Differential diagnosis:
(1) pus
(2) cutaneous leakage of edema fluid
Risk factors:
(1) postoperative or posttraumatic
(2) filariasis
Therapeutic interventions may include:
(1) negative pressure wound care
(2) lymphangiography
(3) ocreotide or somatostatin therapy
(4) radiation therapy
(5) microsurgery
(6) sclerotherapy (with bleomycin or other chemical agent)
