Lipodystrophic syndromes encompass a wide range of both inherited and acquired conditions whereby adipose tissue is lost or absent. We report a rare case of acquired localized, pressure-induced lipodystrophy whereby continuous elbow pressure to the distal thighs led to marked tissue disfigurement. Pressure-induced lipodystrophy is a condition that likely results from protracted, localized pressure which ultimately decreases blood flow to the surrounding tissues. Overtime, the decreased perfusion is thought to induce adipocyte degeneration and eventual tissue deformation. Our findings resemble those described in the case reports of leg crossers’ dimples and lipoatrophia semicircularis and support current literature suggesting that prolonged pressure can indeed lead to significant adipose tissue loss and local architectural distortion. Our findings are significant because pressure-induced lipodystrophy represents an avoidable condition that can be circumvented if patients and physicians are knowledgeable of the underlying causes. We highlight a rare case report to educate the public as well as physicians about the causes of pressure-induced lipodystrophy and ultimately prevent future cases of unnecessary and unintended disfigurement.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:asrf-1391 |
| Date | 12 April 2019 |
| Creators | Winter, Randi P., Bibb, Lorin, Leicht, Stuart S., Dr. |
| Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
| Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Appalachian Student Research Forum |
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