PurposeThe purpose of the present study was to analyze the performances of non-contrast MR lymphography for the classification of primary lower limb lymphedema in 121 consecutive patients with 187 primary lower limb lymphedemas. Materials and methods121 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed primary lower limb lymphedema underwent non-contrast MR lymphography with a free-breathing 3D fast spin-echo sequence with a very long TR/TE (4000/884 ms). MR examinations were retrospectively reviewed for severity of lymphedema (absent, mild, moderate, severe) and characteristics of inguinal lymph nodes and iliac and inguinal lymphatic trunks graded as aplasic (no lymph nodes or lymphatic trunks), hypoplasic (less lymph nodes or lymphatic trunks), normal and hyperplasic (more lymph nodes or more and/or dilated trunks). ResultsThere was an excellent correlation between clinical stage and severity of lymphedema (Cramer's V of 0,73 (p<0.001)). Differentiation was feasible between inguinal lymphatic vessel aplasia (21%), hypoplasia (15%), normal pattern (53%) and hyperplasia (11%).Severe lymphedema was observed in 46% of aplasic patterns and in 37% of hyperplasic patterns, but in only 15% of hypoplasic patterns and never observed in normal patterns (p<0.001). ConclusionNon-contrast MR lymphography is able to classify primary lower limb lymphedemas into hyperplasic, aplasic, hypoplasic and normal patterns.

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