Articles

VALIDITY AND INTRA- AND INTEROBSERVER RELIABILITY OF AN INDIRECT VOLUME MEASUREMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH UPPER EXTREMITY LYMPHEDEMA

Authors
  • RS Meijer
  • JS Rietman
  • JHB Geertzen
  • JC Bosmans
  • PU Dijkstra

Abstract

We investigated a method of indirect volume measurement that utilized surface measurements and a simplified formula derived from the formula for a frustum (Sitzia’s method) to determine limb volumes in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema of the upper extremity. Repeated measurements of upper-extremity limb volume were obtained by two observers on both upper extremities of 30 women with unilateral lymphedema. Volume was calculated using a simplified formula and compared with water displacement method as a gold standard. Indirect volume determination using Sitzia’s method is comparable with the water displacement method, has comparable intra- and interobserver reliabilities, and can be used for diagnosis and follow up measurements of lymphedema. Indirect volume determination using surface measurements at 8 cm intervals is only suitable for followup measurements. The methods should not be used interchangeably.

How to Cite:

Meijer, R., Rietman, J., Geertzen, J., Bosmans, J. & Dijkstra, P., (2004) “VALIDITY AND INTRA- AND INTEROBSERVER RELIABILITY OF AN INDIRECT VOLUME MEASUREMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH UPPER EXTREMITY LYMPHEDEMA”, Lymphology 37(3), 127-133.

Downloads:
Download PDF

192 Views

103 Downloads

Published on
22 Aug 2004
Peer Reviewed