Increased Prevalence of Subcutaneous Lipomas in Patients With Wilson Disease

To determine the prevalence and characteristics of lipomas in patients with Wilson disease.

Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting in copper accumulation in the liver and the central nervous tissue. Subcutaneous lipomas were often noted by the authors during clinical examinations of patients with Wilson disease. This is the first study to analyze the prevalence and progression of lipoma development in patients with Wilson disease.

Eighty consecutive patients attending a tertiary care center were examined for the presence of subcutaneous lipomas.

Subcutaneous lipomas could be detected during the examination of 21 (26%) of the 80 patients with Wilson disease. Multiple subcutaneous lipomas were present in 16 (76%) of the 21 affected patients. Lipomas were mainly found on the extremities and the trunk. Neither initial presentation nor decoppering treatment influenced the presence or course of lipomas in these patients.

Subcutaneous lipoma formation is more common in patients with Wilson disease than in the general population. We suggest that the presence of lipomas contributes to the differential diagnosis of Wilson disease.