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Does the edema pit on pressure? Edema that pits on pressure is more likely to be due to heart, liver, or kidney disease. Edema that does not pit on pressure is more likely due to myxedema or lymphedema.
Is there hepatomegaly? ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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Is the edema acute or chronic? Acute edema, if it is localized, should always bring to mind a deep vein thrombophlebitis. It also should bring to mind acute lymphangitis, particularly if there is erythema in the area. ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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Is there a periorbital or facial rash? The presence of a periorbital or facial rash should suggest contact dermatitis, angioneurotic edema, trichinosis, and herpes zoster. Remember, herpes zoster is usually unilateral. ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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Is it diffuse or focal? Diffuse scrotal swelling would suggest congestive heart failure, nephrosis, uremia, and cirrhosis, as well as focal disease such as filariasis or bilateral hydrocele. Focal scrotal swelling would suggest a hernia, hydrocele ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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Is it reducible? If the mass is reducible, it is most likely a femoral hernia or saphenous varix.
Is there an associated kyphotic curvature of the spine? The findings of a kyphotic curvature of the spine suggest a psoas abscess ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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Is there pain or tenderness of the testicle? The presence of pain or tenderness should suggest torsion of the testicle, orchitis, epididymitis, and a strangulated inguinal hernia.
Is the testicle retracted or ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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... A pulsatile swelling anywhere is an aneurysm until proven otherwise. However, frequently there is simply a benign or malignant tumor over a large artery that gives the false impression that the mass is an aneurysm when it is not. In the abdomen, a... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
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Periorbital or eyelid edema has many possible etiologies, including mechanical, hemodynamic, infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic causes. A careful history and physical examination are necessary to determine whether the problem is localized or generalized,... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Chronic venous insufficiency affects up to 25% of the general population and is the most common cause of edema or swelling of the lower extremities. Normal venous blood return to the heart requires competent venous valves, intermittent muscle contraction of... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Edema is defined as the accumulation of excessive amounts of fluid in the cells and tissues of the body and is relatively rare in children. It is usually generalized and dependent (i.e., fluid tends to accumulate in the most dependent areas, such as the... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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Periorbital edema is frequently reported by parents via telephone. Unless the cause is obvious and benign, an immediate evaluation is warranted.
Differential Diagnosis
Periorbital cellulitis
–Also ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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...
A scrotal mass may or may not be detected by the patient or the patient's parent. Many are discovered by the clinician during routine physical examinations. Most scrotal masses seen in infants are hydroceles and inguinal hernias; both are more common in premature infants. Hernia is the... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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... The mechanism for periorbital and facial edema is similar to that for edema of the extremities. Thus, increased backpressure of the veins will cause periorbital edema in right heart failure, constrictive pericarditis, advanced pulmonary emphysema, and thrombosis
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... Edema of the extremities is a common symptom. Most physicians, therefore, have an immediate working diagnosis when the patient walks into the office: congestive heart failure if the edema is bilateral and deep vein phlebitis if it is unilateral. Many times this is right.
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Many of the conditions that cause splenomegaly also cause generalized lymphadenopathy. They are best recalled with the use of the mnemonic MINT.
LYMPHADENOPATHY, GENERALIZED
M—
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A common sign in severely ill patients, generalized edema is the excessive accumulation of interstitial fluid throughout the body. Its severity varies widely; slight edema may be difficult to detect, especially if the patient is obese, whereas massive edema is immediately apparent.... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... The result of excess interstitial fluid in the arm, arm edema may be unilateral or bilateral and may develop gradually or abruptly. It may be aggravated by immobility and alleviated by arm elevation and exercise.
Arm edema signals a localized... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Leg edema is a common sign that results when excess interstitial fluid accumulates in one or both legs. It may affect just the foot and ankle or extend to the thigh, and may be slight or dramatic, pitting or nonpitting.
Leg edema may result from venous disorders, trauma, and... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations
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... Scrotal swelling occurs when a condition affecting the testicles, epididymis, or scrotal skin produces edema or a mass; the penis may be involved. Scrotal swelling can affect males of any age. It can be unilateral or bilateral and painful or painless.
The sudden... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
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... Localized
Venous or lymphatic obstruction and/or insufficiency
Venous thrombosis
Baker's cyst
Tumor
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... Elevated Microvascular Pressure
Cardiogenic
Volume overload (especially when associated with low plasma oncotic pressure)
Neurogenic
 
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... Physical agents
Radiation
Burns
Chemicals
Cosmetics
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Signs and Symptoms Dyspnea; orthopnea; coughing; tachycardia; tachypnea; crackles; jugular vein distention; diastolic gallop; cyanosis; confusion; frothy, bloody sputum; cold, clammy skin
Treatment (Tx)
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... Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the extravascular spaces of the lung. In cardiogenic pulmonary edema, fluid accumulation results from elevations in pulmonary venous and capillary hydrostatic pressures. A common complication of... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
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... A common sign in severely ill patients, generalized edema is the excessive accumulation of interstitial fluid throughout the body. Its severity varies widely; slight edema may be difficult to detect, especially if the patient is obese, whereas massive edema is immediately... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... The result of excess interstitial fluid in the arm, this type of edema may be unilateral or bilateral and may develop gradually or abruptly. It may be aggravated by immobility and alleviated by arm elevation and exercise.
Arm edema signals a localized... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Facial edema refers to either localized swelling—around the eyes, for example—or more generalized facial swelling that may extend to the neck and upper arms. Occasionally painful, this sign may develop gradually or abruptly. Sometimes it precedes onset of peripheral or... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Leg edema is a common sign that results when excess interstitial fluid accumulates in one or both legs. It may affect just the foot and ankle or extend to the thigh, and may be slight or dramatic and pitting or nonpitting.
Leg edema may result... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling
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... Scrotal swelling occurs when a condition affecting the testicles, epididymis, or scrotal skin produces edema or a mass; the penis may be involved. Scrotal swelling can affect males of any age. It can be unilateral or bilateral and painful or painless.
The sudden onset of... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Gum swelling may result from one of two mechanisms: an increase in the size of existing gum cells (hypertrophy) or an increase in their number (hyperplasia). This common sign may involve one or many papillae—the triangular bits of gum between... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling
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... Paul Evans and Michael P. Rowane
Edema is defined as a clinically apparent increase in interstitial fluid volume (1–3). A number of possible factors cause edema.
Approach The diagnostic process begins by determining... History ... Physical examination ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment
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... Jeffrey D. Harrison
Lymph nodes of abnormal size, consistency, or number define lymphadenopathy. Generalized lymphadenopathy refers to these abnormal nodes when they are found in two or more noncontiguous sites. Generalized lymphadenopathy... Approach ... History ... Physical examination ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment
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... Differential Overview
❑ Congestive heart failure
❑ Venous insufficiency
❑ Hypoalbuminemia
❑ Drugs
❑ Cirrhosis ... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Differential Overview
Pain Predominant
❑ Epididymitis
❑ Testicular torsion
❑ Prostatitis
❑ Referred pain
... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings
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... With pulmonary edema, fluid accumulates in the extravascular spaces of the lung. With cardiogenic pulmonary edema, fluid accumulation results from elevations in pulmonary venous and capillary hydrostatic pressures. A common complication of cardiac disorders, pulmonary edema can occur... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment
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... A common sign in severely ill patients, generalized edema is the excessive accumulation of interstitial fluid throughout the body. Its severity varies widely; slight edema may be difficult to detect, especially if the patient is obese, whereas massive edema is immediately... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Facial edema refers to either localized swelling — around the eyes, for example — or more generalized facial swelling that may extend to the neck and upper arms. Occasionally painful, this sign may develop gradually or abruptly. Sometimes it precedes onset of... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Scrotal swelling occurs when a condition affecting the testicles, epididymis, or scrotal skin produces edema or a mass; the penis may be involved. Scrotal swelling can affect males of any age. It can be unilateral or bilateral and painful or painless.
The... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A common sign in severely ill patients, generalized edema is the excessive accumulation of interstitial fluid throughout the body. Its severity varies widely; slight edema may be difficult to detect, especially if the patient is obese, whereas... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... The result of excess interstitial fluid in the arm, arm edema may be unilateral or bilateral and may develop gradually or abruptly. It may be aggravated by immobility and alleviated by arm elevation and exercise.
Arm edema signals a localized fluid imbalance... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Facial edema refers to either localized swelling — around the eyes, for example — or more generalized facial swelling that may extend to the neck and upper arms. Occasionally painful, this sign may develop gradually or abruptly. Sometimes it precedes... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Leg edema is a common sign that results when excess interstitial fluid accumulates in one or both legs. It may affect just the foot and ankle or extend to the thigh and may be slight or dramatic, pitting or nonpitting.
Leg edema may... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Scrotal swelling occurs when a condition affecting the testicles, epididymis, or scrotal skin produces edema or a mass; the penis may be involved. Scrotal swelling can affect males of any age. It can be unilateral or bilateral and painful or painless. ... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
...Generalized edema—excessive accumulationof fluid in interstitial space—is usually obvious first inankles, lower legs, and eyelids. Principal Causes of Edema Disorderswith normal serum albumin Increased capillary permeability Skin disorders ... Clinical Features and Diagnosis ... Table 17.1. Principal Causes of Hydrops Fetalis ... Diagnostic Approach ... References
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A common sign in severely ill patients, generalized edema is the excessive accumulation of interstitial fluid throughout the body. Its severity varies widely; slight edema may be difficult to detect, especially if the patient is obese, whereas massive edema is... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... The result of excess interstitial fluid in the arm, arm edema may be unilateral or bilateral and may develop gradually or abruptly. It may be aggravated by immobility and alleviated by arm elevation and exercise.
Arm edema signals a localized fluid imbalance between the vascular... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Facial edema refers to either localized swelling—around the eyes, for example—or more generalized facial swelling that may extend to the neck and upper arms. Occasionally painful, this sign may develop gradually or abruptly. Sometimes it precedes the onset of peripheral... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Leg edema is a common sign that results when excess interstitial fluid accumulates in one or both legs. It may affect just the foot and ankle or extend to the thigh, and may be slight or dramatic, pitting or nonpitting.
Leg edema may result from venous disorders,... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Scrotal swelling occurs when a condition affecting the testicles, epididymis, or scrotal skin produces edema or a mass; the penis may be involved. Scrotal swelling can affect males of any age. It can be unilateral or bilateral and painful or painless. ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
The mechanism for periorbital and facial edema is similar to that for
edema of the extremities. Thus, increased backpressure of the veins will
cause periorbital edema in right heart failure, constrictive pericarditis,
advanced pulmonary emphysema... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
Edema of the extremities is a common symptom. Most physicians,
therefore, have an immediate working diagnosis when the patient walks into
the office: Congestive heart failure (CHF) if the edema is bilateral and
deep vein phlebitis if it is unilateral. Many times... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
...
Many of the conditions that cause splenomegaly also cause generalized
lymphadenopathy. They are best recalled with the use of the mnemonic
MINT.
M—Malformations include sickle cell anemia and other congenital ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Author:
Madan Dharmar, MD
What to Do - Make a Decision
Acute gastroenteritis is one of the common illnesses affecting infants and
children throughout the world. Correction of dehydration is the mainstay of
treatment, which is given as oral rehydration therapy ... Suggested Readings
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Author:
Mindy Dickerman, MD
What to Do - Gather Appropriate Data
Acute pancreatitis can be classified as edematous, interstitial pancreatitis
(mild) or necrotizing pancreatitis (severe). Although most attacks of acute
pancreatitis are mild... Suggested Readings
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Author:
Michael S. Potter and Anthony Slonim, MD
What to Do - Make a Decision
Pediatric patients may experience fluid loss and dehydration in a number
of ways. The gastrointestinal tract represents one of the most... Suggested Readings ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
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