Evaluation of the patient with leg edema.
Leg edema is a common and challenging problem. The possible causes are numerous and are not limited to the vascular system. Bilateral swelling is usually a manifestation of systemic disorder, whereas unilateral swelling has many possible causes, the most common of which is chronic venous insufficiency. By means of the basic history and physical examination, a differential diagnosis can usually be established without extensive use of expensive diagnostic testing.
D000293:Adolescent; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors