THE MR APPEARANCE OF VOLUME OVERLOAD IN THE LOWER-EXTREMITIES

Purpose: Our goal was to describe the MR findings of volume overload ( VO) in the lower extremities. Method: Fifteen individuals were studied , including eight healthy controls and seven patients with VO (four ca rdiac, three renal). MR evaluation included various SE techniques. Ede ma detection, localization, and symmetry were assessed subjectively. R elaxation time estimates were also made of the subcutaneous tissue, ma rrow, and three muscles. Results: Subcutaneous tissue was markedly ede matous in seven of seven patients and asymmetric in four of seven, whe reas marrow was normal in all patients. Muscle edema was mild and asym metric in six and two of seven patients, respectively. Perifascial flu id collections were identified in six of seven patients. Conclusion: S ubcutaneous tissue edema is the dominant feature of VO in the lower ex tremities. Perifascial fluid is common but does not necessarily distri bute symmetrically. Muscle edema is relatively mild. These findings sh ould aid in identifying VO as the potential cause of swelling in patie nts with swollen legs.