A Primer on Lymphedema.

Kelly DG. Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458, Prentice Hall, 2002, paperback, 175 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-13-022410-3, $30.67.

In this well-written text, the author presents a comprehensive review of lymphedema and its management. The author states that the book's primary goal is "to provide an enticing, readable, visually informative resource for health professionals and students in professional programs." The book meets this goal well; the text is well organized, with excellent color photographs and anatomical illustrations and with colored fonts that highlight important information and clinical implications.

The text begins with the discussion of the relevant anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and follows with an in-depth review of lymphedema--the etiology, predisposing factors, and clinical diagnoses. According to the author, patient examination, evaluation, and intervention guidelines were adapted from the first edition of the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) is described in chapter 4, and other intervention options such as pneumatic compression pumps, compression garments, Kinesio Taping, surgery, nutrition, and drug therapy are included in chapter 5. To make this a comprehensive text, the author has written chapters examining various management issues such as reimbursement and establishing a lymphedema clinic. A chapter listing lymphedema resources, various education programs, and contacts for organizations and products completes the book.

Each chapter provides sufficient references, discussions of clinical relevance, case study presentations, and summaries. The case studies are interesting and accompanied by excellent patient photographs. References are numerous and up to date, and scientific support and research is well documented.

This text provides an excellent resource for the practicing clinician, but it does not take the place of hands-on training in lymphedema management. The chapter on CDT, for example, does not teach or describe the specific manual therapy techniques required to reduce edema nor does it describe the specific bandaging techniques. Nevertheless, the author provides the experienced or inexperienced clinician with an "enticing" and very readable resource on lymphedema. It is highly recommended for the clinician's library.

Nicholas F Quarrier, PT, OCS Ithaca College Ithaca, NY

Mr Quarrier is Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Director of the Ithaca College Physical Therapy Clinic. His teaching responsibilities include "Soft Tissue and Peripheral Joint Examination and Mobilization" and "Assessment and Treatment of the Spine."