Lymphedema may occur as a primary condition (primary lymphedema) or secondary to a previous pathological condition (secondary lymphedema). Secondary lymphedemas often have a latent congenital component, which becomes clinically overt only after some triggering event. Lymphangiodysplasia with varying severity is the etiological origin of primary lymphedemas, which are distinguished into neonatal or congenital proper (Milroy disease), with early (Meige syndrome) or late onset. Secondary lymphedemas more commonly have a surgical origin, such as for example in the case of lymphadenectomies for oncological control (post-mastectomy lymphedema), but may also be the result of trauma, infection (filaria related or post-lymphangitis lymphedemas), or they may be linked to a loss of neuro-muscular functions (functional or “disuse” Lymphedema).

Lymphedema secondary to trauma with relevant lymphoscintigraphy, which, if superimposed, shows that the tracer is blocked at the level of the scar, with corresponding lymph stagnation in the medial portion of the thigh.