Membranous lipodystrophy-like changes in ischemic necrosis of the legs

Subcutaneous fat from 3 patients with ischemic necrosis of the legs due to arteriosclerotic obstruction were examined histologically and ultrastructurally. Markedly convoluted membranocystic changes were found in all 3 cases. The light and electron microscopic findings of the membranocystic lesions are very similar to those of fat tissue changes in membranous lipodystrophy. Bone lesions and mental disturbance which suggest membranous lipodystrophy, however, were absent in these cases. It is concluded from these results that the membranocystic changes characteristic of membranous lipodystrophy can be produced by circulatory disturbance and the lesions are one of the non-specific changes of adipose tissue.