The Japanese Journal of Dermatology
Online ISSN : 1346-8146
Print ISSN : 0021-499X
ISSN-L : 0021-499X
Original Articles
Severe Lymphorrhea and Lymphedema Caused by Filariasis: The Efficacy of Oral Treatment with Cilostazol
Mikio MasuzawaHisamichi HaraToshiko MiyataTakafumi AmanoToshiya AsaiIchirou KatohShigeo NishiyamaKensei Katsuoka
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2001 Volume 111 Issue 2 Pages 179-183

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Abstract

A 41-year-old male patient first came to our hospital with severe lymphedema of the right leg caused by chronic filariasis eighteen years ago. Besides, chylous lymphorrhea occurred on the surface of the scrotum six years ago. These symptoms worsened year by year in spite of several treatments. However, after we started administration of cilostazol from the summer of 1999, the severe lymphorrhea of over 1,500 ml/day gradually improved to an amount of less than 500 ml/day. Moreover, the lymphedema also gradually ameliorated after six months administration. We suggest that one pharmacological action of cilostazol, an increase of blood flow with vasodilatation, could promote absorption of lymph through blood vessels by a mechanism such as a water-flow aspirator. Our results suggest that cilostazol would be an effective drug for a treatment of lymphedema and lymphorrhea.

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© 2001 Japanese Dermatological Association
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