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Functional lymphatic alterations in patients suffering from lipedema
S Bilancini1, M Lucchi, S Tucci
1Centro Studi Malattie Vascolari J. F. Merlen, Frosinone, Italy.
Angiology
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Lipedema, a chronic fat disorder in women, shows slowed lymphatic flow on lymphoscintigraphy, similar to lymphedema. Asymmetrical findings contrast with the condition's typically symmetrical appearance.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Lymphology
Background:
- Lipedema is a chronic, progressive vascular disorder primarily affecting women, characterized by symmetrical fat deposition, typically in the legs.
- Clinical features include "Egyptian column" leg shape, orthostatic edema, skin hypothermia, altered plantar support, and a negative Stemmer's sign.
- Etiology and pathogenesis remain under investigation, with limited therapeutic options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lymphatic function in lipedema patients using dynamic lymphoscintigraphy.
- To compare lymphoscintigraphic findings in lipedema with normal subjects and patients with idiopathic lymphedema.
Main Methods:
- Dynamic lymphoscintigraphy was performed on 12 women with lipedema.
- Results were compared to 5 healthy controls and 5 age- and sex-matched patients with idiopathic lymphedema.
Main Results:
- Lipedema patients exhibited abnormal lymphoscintigraphic patterns, indicating slowed lymphatic flow.
- These lymphatic flow alterations showed similarities to those observed in idiopathic lymphedema.
- Lymphoscintigraphy revealed frequent asymmetry in findings, contrasting with the typically symmetrical clinical presentation of lipedema.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic lymphoscintigraphy demonstrates impaired lymphatic transport in lipedema.
- The findings suggest a lymphatic component in lipedema pathogenesis, despite its distinct clinical profile from lymphedema.
- Asymmetrical lymphoscintigraphic results in lipedema warrant further investigation into underlying mechanisms.