Diagnosis
underlying causes of Anasarca
Laboratory Studies
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Detect abnormalities in the CBC may point to systemic conditions that could be responsible for anasarca
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Helps assess renal function, albumin level, and liver function.
Urinalysis
Detects albumin via dipstick testing, a crucial marker when assessing for nephrotic syndrome, which can lead to anasarca.
B-type natriuretic peptide test
Elevated BNP levels may suggest congestive heart failure (CHF), which can cause fluid accumulation and anasarca due to poor cardiac function.
Thyroid Studies
Identifies thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, which can alter fluid balance and metabolism, leading to anasarca.
Imaging Studies
Chest X-ray
assess for cardiac enlargement, pulmonary edema, and pleural effusions, which are frequently associated with congestive heart failure (CHF), a major cause of anasarca.
CT Scan
visualizing fluid accumulation in interstitial tissues, and detecting pleural and cardiac effusions, which may contribute to anasarca.
Echocardiogram
to understand the cardiac causes of anasarca if cardiac diseases are suspected
Venous Ultrasound
detect deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may cause localized edema or contribute to the development of anasarca
Renal Ultrasound
to assess the cause of fluid retention in renal dysfunction patients that lead to anasarca.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Used to evaluate musculoskeletal causes of anasarca.
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T1-weighted magnetic resonance lymphangiography:
determine the extent of fluid accumulation due to lymphatic dysfunction.