MRI methods capable of evaluating tissue changes in response to lymphatic dysfunction have not been incorporated into lymphedema diagnosis and management owing to limited clinical evaluation of these technologies. We performed quantitative relaxometry in the skin and deep tissue of patients with lymphedema and matched controls, in sequence with standard biophysical bedside measures used for lymphedema assessment. In both deep tissue and skin, T2 was elevated in patients relative to control volunteers, consistent with edema, and relaxometry values were more discriminatory for category (i.e., control versus lymphedema) compared to common bedside tools of arm volume asymmetry and tissue dielectric constant.
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