Deep Dive: Exploring My Lymphatic System with Lymphoscintigraphy
Two weeks after my ICG scan in Oxford, I underwent a lymphoscintigraphy scan in London to assess my deeper lymphatic channels. During this procedure, infrared dye was injected between my big and second toes on both feet.
Immediately after the injections, the first set of scans began. I was securely positioned on a bed that moved through an MRI-like machine. This initial scan consisted of two parts: a 5-minute scan focused on my feet, followed by a 10-minute scan extending up my leg.
Unlike the ICG scan, I then had to wait for two hours to allow the dye sufficient time to travel through my lymphatic system before the second set of scans. The second session included a 5-minute scan on my feet again, a 15-minute scan up my leg, and finally a 5-minute scan focused on my pelvic region.
The results of these are crucial in determining which surgical option is best suited to my specific lymphatic condition.
After consulting with a professor at the Oxford Lymphoedema Practice, I learned that my lymphoscintigraphy scan revealed a deep, scarred lymph node in my right leg near the groin. The cause of this scarring is unknown but it’s creating a blockage in my lymphatic system, preventing fluid from flowing properly. Despite this, the lymphatic channels below the groin are functioning normally, working hard to push fluid past the blockage. These channels are healthy and suitable for surgical intervention. Interestingly, this specific diagnosis is present in about 5% of primary lymphoedema patients.
For my case, the recommended surgical option is Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis (LVA). This procedure involves connecting deeper healthy lymphatic channels to nearby veins, creating a new pathway for lymph fluid to bypass the blockage. The surgery requires four small incisions along the leg, typically on the upper thigh, just above the knee, the inner calf and above the ankle on the shin. It’s a half-day procedure performed under local anaesthetic by two surgeons. The success rate for swelling improvement with LVA is approximately 85%.
I’m hopeful this surgery will significantly improve my quality of life and support my ambitions in the performing arts world. More than that, I believe it could positively impact my mental health and how I view my own body.
