Quantitative Analysis of Cadaveric Pelvic Lymph Nodes

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2023

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Lymphedema commonly develops as a result of cancer treatments, including surgical removal of lymph nodes. Research suggests there are as many as 450 to 700 lymph nodes throughout the body and there is much variation in the reported ranges per anatomical region. Determining the number nodes to remove and predicting the possible severity of damage can become problematic when the range in one area can vary by up to 30. The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate more precise ranges of pelvic lymph nodes within cadaver samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantification of lymph nodes was performed via cadaver dissection and occurred simultaneous with PCOM students’ educational dissections. Anatomical landmarks were used to identify and label lymph nodes in the inguinal, iliac, sacral, and lumbar regions of 43 cadavers. Statistical analysis was performed on unpaired (N=43) and paired (N=86) data using Matrix Laboratories and JMP15 data analysis programs. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis revealed a power value of 0.733 for the unpaired lumbar region and a value of 0.954 for the remaining paired regions. Quantification of the number of lymph nodes per region is presented with average ranges, 95% confidence interval ranges, mean, and minimum and maximum values. Furthermore, statistical analysis revealed no correlation between size and number of nodes, minimal differences in male versus female cadavers, and no significant (p < .001) difference in left versus right sides of the body. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to previous sources for lymph node quantification, this study demonstrates larger overall ranges, but presents narrower average ranges. Of the regions investigated, only the unpaired lumbar region was shown to utilize an insufficient sample size. Overall, the interpretation of this study’s data may provide information for various medical professionals regarding lymph node excision and lymphedema.

Publication Title

European Journal of Lymphology and Related Problems

Volume

34

Issue

83

First Page

19

Last Page

27

Comments

This article was published in European Journal of Lymphology and Related Problems, Volume 34, Issue 83, pages 19-27.

The published version is available at https://www.eurolymphology.org/JOURNAL/VOL34-N83-2023.pdf.

Copyright © 2023.

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