Abstract
Edema occurs when the volume of fluid in the tissue space is increased from normal. It may be the consequence of numerous diseases which can affect the kidneys, the cardiovascular system, the liver, or the endocrine system, or it may result from the administration of certain drugs or a variety of other disorders (Table I). Edema may be localized to a very circumscribed area of the body, to one limb or to one region of the body such as the lungs. More often, it is generalized. Even generalized edema may not be detected by the patient or the physician if it is modest in amount. However, when interstitial fluid volume is increased by approximately 15%, or 2 liters in a 70-kg man, the edema becomes clinically apparent. Because, as is discussed below, intracapillary hydrostatic pressure and tissue pressure are two of the important factors which regulate interstitial fluid volume, generalized edema usually presents in areas where venous pressure is the highest or tissue pressure is the lowest. Thus, it may be seen first in the ankles if the patient has been upright for any length of time, over the sacrum if the patient has been supine or around the eyes or in the scrotum or labia where skin is lax. Alternately, generalized edema may present as pulmonary edema because of the marked symptoms which result from fluid retention in the lungs. If generalized edema is massive in amount, it is referred to as anasarca.
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Robson, A.M. (1983). Edema and Edema-Forming States. In: Klahr, S. (eds) The Kidney and Body Fluids in Health and Disease. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3524-5_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3524-5_5
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