Dermal backflow (DB) in the lower extremity can be graded using indocyanine green (ICG)lymphangiography.
Method: indocyanine green lymphangiography
Anatomic regions: thigh, lower leg, foot
Parameters:
(1) linear pattern (dye confined to vessels)
(2) splash pattern (dye primarily in vessels with some perilymphatic leakage)
(3) number of anatomic regions showing the stardust pattern (shotgun pellet pattern)
(4) diffuse ("foggy" with no linearity or densities)
Linear
|
Splash
|
Stardust
|
Diffuse
|
Stage DB
|
present
|
absent
|
absent
|
absent
|
0
|
present
|
present
|
absent
|
absent
|
I
|
present
|
NA
|
1 region
|
absent
|
II
|
present
|
NA
|
2 regions
|
NA
|
III
|
present
|
NA
|
3 regions
|
NA
|
IV
|
absent
|
NA
|
variable
|
variable
|
V
|