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Obesity-associated abdominal elephantiasis
Ritesh Kohli1, Vivian Argento, Yaw Amoateng-Adjepong
1Department of Internal Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, Columbia Tower, Appt. no. 308, 50 Ridgefield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06610, USA.
Case Reports in Medicine
|April 23, 2013
Summary
Abdominal elephantiasis, a rare skin condition causing leg and abdominal swelling, requires early diagnosis. Prompt treatment is crucial for managing this progressive disease and preventing complications.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Abdominal elephantiasis is a rare, progressive cutaneous disease.
- It results from chronic lymphedema and recurrent bacterial infections of the abdominal wall.
- Morbid obesity is a potential contributing factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present three cases of abdominal elephantiasis in morbidly obese patients.
- To highlight the clinical presentation and management challenges.
Main Methods:
- Case series presentation of three patients with abdominal elephantiasis.
- Clinical examination, patient history, and treatment outcomes were documented.
Main Results:
- Patients presented with abdominal and leg edema, thickened skin plaques, erythema, and pain.
- Two patients had localized skin erythema, tenderness, and warmth.
- One patient exhibited purulent drainage; initial antibiotic treatment showed limited improvement.
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis of abdominal elephantiasis is critical for effective treatment.
- Prompt intervention is necessary to prevent disease progression and complications.
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