Edema

[Hdonohue80]

I have had rt thigh, calf and hip edema since 1/14. It came on out of nowhere. No injury. Neg for DVT, neg MRI for mass, neg mass on abdominal CT scan. Multiple hypodense, Ill defined nodules were identified on spleen and a few on liver. CT scan of chest identified multiple hilar lymphadenopathy. This prompted bx. Dx: Sarcoidosis. Had 2 unsuccessful rounds of prednisone. Now getting Remicade tx. I feel better overall, but the edema
Has not changed. My sarcoid dr (pulmoncologist ) thinks this may be totally unrelated to the sarcoid.
I'm desperate for an answer. Vascular consult was neg. any clues?  
I was originally told this could be a spinal compression issue. I do have a hx of lower back pain/spasms.

Thanks

[Hdonohue80]

Right. I had 2 4 week rounds of 40 mg Prednisone and have had 3 IV infused remicade treatments with no relief. This is what has lead my sarcoid specialist to believe it's completely unrelated to the sarcoid.

[maatson]

Another thing, if Sarcoidiosis was the cause steroid therapy should have relived the edema. So I guess it is disconnected.

[Hdonohue80]

I'm not in a tropical area, nor have I been to one, although this was still rule out.

[maatson]

Non-pitting unilateral filarial lymphedema is quite common in the tropics.Wonder whether you have this condition where you live?

[Hdonohue80]

No. TSH & Free T4 are negative

[maatson]

mucinous dermopathy,with nonpitting edema has been reported with association of hypothyroidism.

[maatson]

Do you have hypothyroidism?

[Hdonohue80]

It's non pitting edema in only my calf, thigh and hip.

[maatson]

Could well be a part presentation of Sarcoidosis.

[maatson]

Ann Rheum Dis. Sep 1997; 56(9): 565–566.
PMCID: PMC1752433
Remitting distal lower extremity swelling with pitting oedema in acute sarcoidosis
F. CANTINI, L. NICCOLI, I. OLIVIERI, L. BAROZZI, P. PAVLICA, A. BOZZA, P. L. MACCHIONI, A. PADULA, and C. SALVARANI