nietpitting

Nietpitting is a term some medical texts use to describe non-pitting edema, a form of swelling in which pressing on the swollen area does not leave a persistent indentation. It contrasts with pitting edema, where indentation remains after fingertip pressure. In non-pitting edema, the skin and subcutaneous tissues may feel firm or tense, and the swelling can be less mobile.

The non-pitting form often arises from tissue changes that stiffen the subcutaneous layers or impede fluid movement. Common mechanisms include lymphatic obstruction (lymphedema) and deposition of mucopolysaccharides in tissues seen with hypothyroidism (myxedema). Inflammatory processes and obesity-associated tissue changes can also contribute, producing edema that does not pit easily.

Common causes include lymphedema (primary or secondary), hypothyroidism-related myxedema, obesity-related tissue changes, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Certain medications or infections can also be associated with non-pitting edema. The distribution of swelling and accompanying signs help guide diagnosis, along with patient history and examination.

Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment to distinguish non-pitting from pitting edema, supplemented by targeted investigations. Imaging such as duplex ultrasound can evaluate venous insufficiency; lymphoscintigraphy or MRI may be employed to assess lymphatic involvement when lymphedema is suspected.

Treatment targets the underlying cause and may include compression therapy, manual lymph drainage, skin care, and leg elevation. Management of hypothyroidism is essential if myxedema is present. Diuretics are generally less effective for non-pitting edema than for pitting edema and are used selectively.

Etymology: "nietpitting" is not a standard English term; it appears as a direct-language rendering (e.g., Dutch) of what English literature terms non-pitting edema. The canonical English term is non-pitting edema.