Add Us On GoogleAdd as a preferred source on Google
Va. (WVIR) – UVA Health researchers have received a $6.5 million grant to study two lymphatic diseases that can cause painful, long-term swelling in the arms and legs, lymphedema and lipedema
The grant comes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. It will support the university’s SALT Lab in using a specialized type of MRI to examine what is happening inside the body in patients with the conditions
Rochelle Crescenzi, associate professor of radiology at UVA Health and director of the SALT Lab, said diagnosis of these diseases is often significantly delayed
“They often take 20 years to receive a diagnosis, especially of lipedema, because there’s just so few tools to even recognize symptoms of lymphatic diseases,” Crescenzi said. “Right now, what’s being used in the clinic is a tape measure.”
The SALT Lab is now enrolling people in the Charlottesville area who have arm or leg swelling. Researchers are also seeking volunteers without the disease to participate in the study
Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tiphere
Copyright 2026 WVIR. All rights reserved
