Lymphatic function and anatomy in early stages of lipedema

This study sought to understand whether these abnormal lymphatic characteristics also characterize early stages of lipedema before lipo lymphedema development. These studies showed that, although lower extremity lymphatic vessels were dilated and showed intravascular pooling, the propulsion rates significantly exceeded those of control individuals. These results suggest that, despite the confusion in the diagnoses between lymphedema and lipedema, their etiologies differ, with lipedema associated with lymphatic vessel dilation but not lymphatic dysfunction.