Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39682604›Full record

ArticleDiagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)2024

Ultrasound Imaging of the Superficial and Deep Fasciae Thickness of Upper Limbs in Lymphedema Patients Versus Healthy Subjects.

Carmelo Pirri, Nina Pirri, Chiara Ferraretto, Lara Bonaldo, Raffaele De Caro, Stefano Masiero, Carla Stecco

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland), 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. The Human Superficial Fascia: A Narrative Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Carmelo PirriDepartment of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-0119-6549
Nina PirriDepartment of Medicine-DIMED, School of Radiology, Radiology Institute, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.
Chiara FerrarettoPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation School, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy.
Lara BonaldoDepartment of Neuroscience, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy.
Raffaele De CaroDepartment of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2307-0277
Stefano MasieroDepartment of Neuroscience, Section of Rehabilitation, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-0361-4898
Carla SteccoDepartment of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-8767-4555

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesLymphedema, a common source of disability among oncology patients, necessitates continuous targeted rehabilitation. Recent studies have revealed the role of connective tissue in this pathology; however, despite existing research on ultrasound (US) use in lymphedema, no studies have specifically addressed the use of ultrasound to assess fasciae in patients with lymphedema. This study aims to provide a more objective characterization of typical US alterations in these patients by quantifying the thickness of superficial and deep fasciae and comparing them with those of healthy volunteers.

methodsA cross-sectional study was performed using US imaging to measure the thickness of superficial and deep fascia in different regions and levels of the arm and forearm in a sample of 50 subjects: 25 chronic lymphedema patients and 25 healthy participants.

resultsNo significant difference in fascial thickness was observed between affected and unaffected upper limbs, but patients had notably thinner superficial fascia and deep fascia compared with healthy volunteers. The findings for superficial and deep fascia revealed statistically significant differences (

conclusionsThis study demonstrates the effectiveness of US imaging as a non-invasive tool for detecting subtle fascial changes in chronic lymphedema patients, revealing thinner fasciae compared with those in healthy volunteers. These findings suggest a potential anatomical predisposition to lymphedema, highlighting the importance of incorporating detailed US assessments in diagnosis and management to improve early intervention and patient outcomes. Future studies could, therefore, investigate whether preventive fascia assessment might improve the early identification of individuals at risk.

Indexed as

cutisdeep fasciadermislymphedemaskinsubcutaneous tissuesuperficial fasciathicknessultrasonographyultrasound imaging

Identifiers

PMID39682604
PMCPMC11639881

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.