Edema
Edema means swelling caused by extra fluid in tissue.
When to get help quickly: Prompt review is important if swelling appears suddenly, affects one limb only, comes with shortness of breath, fever, or severe pain, or is happening in many parts of the body.
Common symptoms
Edema may look like puffiness or swelling and can cause tight skin, heaviness, discomfort, reduced movement, or shoes and clothes feeling tighter than usual.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps when doctors need to understand where the swelling is coming from, whether fluid is collecting inside the body, and whether the cause is vascular, cardiac, renal, inflammatory, or another condition.
What radiology does
Imaging may show edema in the brain, lungs, limbs, bones, or soft tissues depending on the underlying condition.
What usually happens next
Treatment focuses on the cause, which may include infection, injury, inflammation, heart failure, or other medical problems.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.
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