Lipedematous scalp and lipedematous alopecia: a clinical and histologic analysis of 3 cases.
BACKGROUND
Lipedematous alopecia and lipedematous scalp are two similar unusual conditions mostly affecting healthy black women.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to report three cases of this condition with emphasis on clinical and histologic findings, and to review the literature on the subject.


METHODS
The study includes clinical, echographic, and histologic findings of 3 patients, complemented with a literature review.


RESULTS
Two cases of lipedematous alopecia and one of lipedematous scalp in 3 white women had echographic confirmation of an increased subcutaneous layer. The presence of ectatic lymphatic vessels in the two cases with hair loss was particularly emphasized.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest a lessened role of racial factors, but confirms the sex implications in these related conditions, and stress the potential significance of lymphangiectatic vessels in the development of alopecia in these patients.
Martín
José M
JM
Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Spain. jmMart@eresmas.com <jmMart@eresmas.com>
Monteagudo
Carlos
C
Montesinos
Encarnación
E
Guijarro
Jorge
J
Llombart
Beatriz
B
Jordá
Esperanza
E
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D000505:Alopecia / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008200:Lymphangiectasis / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012535:Scalp / Q000473:pathology*; D044465:White People