role of MR imaging in the diagnosis of swollen lower extremities

In this study, MR imaging of swollen extremity was performed on 20 patients using T1 and T2-weighted spin-echo and short inversion time inversion recovery sequences. Thickness and signal intensity of the cutis, subcutis and subfascia were evaluated in the images. In all cases with lymphatic edema, trabecular structures suggesting dilated collateral lymphatic vessels were observed in the swollen subcutis. Regarding the non-lymphatic patients, one case of nephrotic syndrome showed similar findings. In four cases with venous edema, fatty intensity was found in the subfascia. In the remaining three cases, the subcutis exhibited only water intensity