The MR appearance of volume overload in the lower extremities.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to describe the MR findings of volume overload (VO) in the lower extremities.


METHODS
Fifteen individuals were studied, including eight healthy controls and seven patients with VO (four cardiac, three renal). MR evaluation included various SE techniques. Edema detection, localization, and symmetry were assessed subjectively. Relaxation time estimates were also made of the subcutaneous tissue, marrow, and three muscles.


RESULTS
Subcutaneous tissue was markedly edematous in seven of seven patients and asymmetric in four of seven, whereas marrow was normal in all patients. Muscle edema was mild and asymmetric in six and two of seven patients, respectively. Perifascial fluid collections were identified in six of seven patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Subcutaneous tissue edema is the dominant feature of VO in the lower extremities. Perifascial fluid is common but does not necessarily distribute symmetrically. Muscle edema is relatively mild. These findings should aid in identifying VO as the potential cause of swelling in patients with swollen legs.
Meler
J D
JD
Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas 75235-8896, USA.
Solomon
M A
MA
Steele
J R
JR
Yancy
C W
CW
Parkey
R W
RW
Fleckenstein
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged