Xanthoma secondary to reticulo-histiocyte infiltration

Three cases of xanthomas occurring secondarily are reported: The primary dermatoses were erythroderma, actinic reticuloid and histiocytosis X. Although a slight elevation of pre-beta-lipoprotein was recognized, xanthomas occurring in these particular 3 cases were assumed to be due to the proliferation or hyperplasia of reticulohistiocytes in the skin. The foam cells found in the xanthoma case with erythroderma and actinic reticuloid appeared different from those with histiocytosis X in their fine structures. The lipid constituents of the xanthoma lesion were found to be quite dissimilar from those of serum lipids.