Lipo-atrophy of the ankles and its relation to other lipo-atrophies

Two typical cases of lipo-atrophy of the ankles are described, one case of atrophy of the ankles with associated atrophy of the whole extremity, and one case of localized atrophy of the knee. For comparison, we present one case of atrophy in a diabetic patient due to insulin injections but developing at distant sites, and in one case, a child in whom atrophy followed antibiotic injections. Primary inflammatory vascular changes in the subcutaneous tissue were demonstrated in atrophy of the ankles, as in the early period of insulin-induced lipo-atrophy. Attention is called to the possible relation of the described lipo-atrophies.