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Differential Diagnosis: Lipedema

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Lymphedema

Abstract

Lipedema, the disproportionate, symmetrical adipose swelling characterized by spontaneous or mild trauma-induced pain and bruising, is a common, but often underdiagnosed masquerading disease of obesity, which almost exclusively affects females. The clinical diagnosis is relatively simple; however, knowledge regarding the pathomechanism is limited, and the lack of apparently curative therapy demands an urgent need for extensive research.

Beyond weight control, treatment protocols comprise noninvasive (decongestive lymphatic therapy) and invasive (liposuction) approaches, and the maintenance therapy is usually given by compression hosieries. Noninvasive intervention has only a limited effect on volume decrease; however it significantly ameliorates pain and hematoma formation. In the long run, lipoaspiration is durably and notably efficient in volume reduction and the improvement of bruising and pain. Early diagnosis and treatment would be worthwhile; otherwise gradual enlargement of fatty deposition may cause impaired mobility and further comorbidities like arthrosis and lymphatic insufficiency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Korányi fasor, Szeged, Hungary

    Győző Szolnoky MD, PhD

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  1. Győző Szolnoky MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Győző Szolnoky MD, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Lymphedema and Vascular Malformations, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Byung-Boong Lee

  2. Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA

    Stanley G. Rockson

  3. La Jolla, California, USA

    John Bergan

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Szolnoky, G. (2018). Differential Diagnosis: Lipedema. In: Lee, BB., Rockson, S., Bergan, J. (eds) Lymphedema. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_20

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52421-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52423-8

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