Diagnostic Accuracy of Dermal Thickness in Lymphedema

Ultrasound is an easily feasible noninvasive technique which is widely used in rehabilitation settings. Measurement of dermal thickness via ultrasound can be less time consuming than volume measurements with water displacement and circumference measurements. Measurement of subcutaneous tissue thickness were used for both assessment and treatment outcome. Recently reliability of ultrasound examination of thickness of the skin and subcutaneous tissue were studied by Han et al. However, diagnostic accuracy of this method has not been studied before. Early identification of breast cancer related lymphedema to start treatment earlier is critical. Consequently, reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the assessment techniques of lymphedema is crucial to evaluate both severity at the time of diagnosis, and later effectiveness of treatment. The aim of this study was to establish diagnostic accuracy of between side differences of ultrasonographic dermal thickness measurements in breast cancer related arm lymphedema.