Cutaneous Manifestations of Edema

Edema is an excess of interstitial fluid and is an important sign of ill health in clinical medicine. Edema results from an excess of interstitial fluid when lymph load exceeds lymph drainage for a sustained period of time. When it occurs in peripheral tissues, fluid accumulates predominately in the subcutaneous tissues, but also in the skin. When peripheral edema is caused solely by reduced lymph drainage, it is called lymphedema and produces characteristic clinical signs. This chapter describes these signs, which are often of diagnostic importance.