It is the purpose of this overview to under-score some of the clinical problems associated with the clinical assessment of lymphoedema to create a context in which to discuss the utility of bioimpedance analysis as a tool for diagnostic evaluation. Initially, as a point of reference, it is appropriate to address the normal function of the lymphatic system. In healthy individuals, the lymphatic system subserves three vital functions: the maintenance of fluid homeostasis through the drainage of interstitial I fluid from the extracellular space; the absorption of lipids from the intestinal tract; and modulation of immune traffic through its obligate transport of immunocompetent cells from the periphery to the more central aspects of the immune system. 1

A fairly simple classification scheme is usually applied to the functional categorization of patients with lymphedema. 1 As a first division, one conceives of the disease as either ‘primary’(ie, congenital, heritable, or without obvious antecedents), or ‘secondary’(ie, acquired). The category of acquired lymphoedema can then be further refined into subgroups with reference to the initiating factors for lymphedema develop, including traumatic or iatrogenic damage to the lymphatic structures, the latter encompassing both surgical interventions and radiation effects; infection; and obliteration of lymphatic transport capacity through either extrinsic compression or intraluminal invasion by tumor. In this context, it is useful to distinguish between ‘benign’and ‘malignant’forms of