The diagnosis of lymphedema is based on its characteristic clinical presentation and volumetric measurements (limb circumference measurements or evaluation with infrared perometry). Available modalities for the diagnosis are lymphoscintigraphy, lymphography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and ultrasonography. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) can be used to evaluate lymph fluid change by measuring the impedance to a low frequency electrical current passing through the body and able to detect subtle differences in the extracellular water. Especially in patients with the Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL), BIA can be used to find early change of extra cellular fluid contents. Early diagnosis of lymphedema and the initiation of treatment at an early stage with BIA leads to greater treatment compliance, reduction of extremity infections, and an increased quality of life.
Jae Yong Jeon (2016) studied this question.