Joseph L. Feldman, MD, CLT-LANA; Mary Kathleen Kearse, PT, CLT-LANA
Many lymphedema therapists find treatment for pediatric and adolescent patients challenging. Once the diagnosis of lymphedema has been established, clinicians may be unsure of the best treatment approach for these children and how to properly guide their parents or primary caregivers. Most lymphedemas which develop in children and teenagers are primary and result from dysplasia of the lymphatic system. Dysplasia may involve one or more extremities, the trunk and genital areas and/or the face. In rare cases, the intestinal tract is involved, which can lead to protein-losing enteropathy. Primary lymphedema can be obscured by Klippel- Trénaunay Syndrome and other vascular malformations. Rare syndromes associated with dysplasia of the lymphatic system include: Turner’s Syndrome, Noonan’s Syndrome, and Yellow Nail Syndrome. The following questions are often asked and will be addressed in more detail during this workshop: What are the appropriate diagnostic and/or treatment approaches in cases of pure primary lymphedema versus primary lymphedema associated with co-morbidities? How does Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) need to be modified? What are the guidelines for compression therapy (bandaging & garments) in this patient population? Diagnostic and treatment considerations regarding lymphedema and possible co-morbidities in the pediatric and adolescent patient population will be discussed. Treatment protocols for appropriate MLD and compression therapy will be shown in picture and short video presentations.