Edema vs. Pitting Edema

[golfman]

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Edema vs. Pitting edema

I am confused by the difference. Does anybody off the top of their head know the difference? And why does it pit?

 

[knuckles]

simplified, pitting edema is a problem with your circulation so think cardio related, but nonpitting is more likely lymphatics related, eg elephantiasis - wucheria bancrofti

hopefully someone who is a better teacher than me can elaborate further

 

[PokerDoc]

heres another good one for non-pitting... pretibial myxedema 😉


just another curveball to watch out for.. doesnt always have to be lymphatics

 

[BenCarson]

Edema as we know is accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space. Now edema is divided into two types in terms of pitting thing. 1. Pitting and Non-pitting. basically when you press lets say an edema in ur ankle and it stays dented then this is called Pitting edema, in contrast if initial denting disappears then it's a non-pitting edema. Now the pathophysiology of this is based on the cause of the edema. as we I can recall there are three factors that can contribute to an edema: 1. increase in hydrostatic pressure, 2. decreased oncotic(protein) pressure 3. Lymphatic obstruction

1 and 2 lead to pitting edema because there is no protein in the interstitial that retains fluid in the compartment when dispersed. on the other hand 3 leads to non-pitting edema b/c the lymphatic system is blocked and can't drain the small proteins that are normally filter and then drained. so this blocking keeps the proteins in the interstitial and thus retaing the water and when pressed the water pushes it back and doesn't get dispersed. Remember the reason why it disperses is b/c the fluid will escape via the lympahtics.

hope i was clear.

You can check this doc explaining it well on youtube.
Nephrotic & Nephritic Syndrome by Dr. Najeeb. it's in one of the lectures but can't remember which one.

 

[golfman]

I see the light.

Thanks everyone.

 

[IMGUSMLEStep1]

Edema vs. Pitting edema

I am confused by the difference. Does anybody off the top of their head know the difference? And why does it pit?

Pitting edema means that when you press down on it with your thumb, it takes awhile for the fluid to re-accumulate.

Non-pititng edema means that when you press down on it with your thumb, the fluid re-accumulates right away. This is because the edema contains protein that osmotically attracts the fluid right back into the extracellular space.

This concept is explained well in Rapid Review Pathology Chapter 4.

 

[PokerDoc]

I see the light.

Thanks everyone.

yup just remember, if protein doesnt follow the water (transudate), it will pit!