ABSTRACT
Lymphedema, or the presence of an abnormally large amount of fluid in the intercellular spaces of the body occurring because of lymphatic dysfunction, is as yet a very poorly understood entity in medicine. Its causes can be congenital or acquired. Chronic lymphedema has no real medical or surgical cure, although various means are available to control the extent of the swelling. It can have serious complications, such as recurrent cellulitis and, in rare instances, lymphangiosarcoma. A thorough understanding of the normal anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and current treatment options, along with their complications, is essential to finding a solution to this problem.
