title: Elephantoid oedema of the eyelids.
abstract: We describe a male patient with rosacea who had a 2-year history of persistent bilateral oedema of the eyelids, leading to an elephantoid condition with blepharoptosis. An upper eyelid blepharoplasty was performed, but swelling progressively recurred over a few months. Based on the case history, clinical appearance and histological findings, rosaceous lymphoedema was considered to be the diagnosis. The latter is a bilateral, solid oedema of the mid-third of the face, regarded as a rare complication of rosacea. It is thought to occur as a result of chronic inflammation and lymphatic stasis, but its exact aethiopathogenesis remains elusive. Predominant eyelid involvement, causing severe visual impairment as in our patient, is unique.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatological Sciences of the University of Milan and IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Marzano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vezzoli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alessi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019882:Blepharoplasty; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012393:Rosacea / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology