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History and Physical Examination

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Book cover Lymphedema

Abstract

Most patients with lymphedema can be diagnosed by history and physical examination. Individuals with primary (idiopathic) disease typically present during infancy or adolescence. A family history of the condition may be present. Adults who develop lymphedema usually have secondary disease after injury to their axillary and/or inguinal lymph nodes. Patients with lymphedema often have a history of cellulitis of the extremity. Edema almost always involves the distal limb, and the skin of the hand or foot is unable to be pinched. Patients initially have pitting edema, which becomes non-pitting as fibroadipose deposition occurs.

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Correspondence to Arin K. Greene M.D., M.M.Sc. .

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Greene, A.K. (2015). History and Physical Examination. In: Greene, A., Slavin, S., Brorson, H. (eds) Lymphedema. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14493-1_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14493-1_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-14492-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-14493-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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