Lipedematous scalp in a child.
A nine year old Maori girl was noted to have a spongy consistency to her posterior scalp. The overlying skin appeared normal, as was hair growth in that area. The abnormal findings became more extensive over the subsequent year. A computerized tomography scan showed diffuse thickening of subcutaneous tissues posteriorly on the scalp. A skin biopsy specimen showed a normal epidermis with a thick layer of mature subcutaneous fat and some disruption of the subcutaneous architecture. The clinical features and investigations were consistent with a diagnosis of lipedematous scalp, which has been described predominantly in adult women and is usually associated with alopecia. This condition has not been reported previously in the pediatric literature.
Rowan
Darion M
DM
Department of Dermatology, Middlemore Hospital, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. drowan@ihug.co.nz
Simpson
Alan
A
Wong
Kwong P
KP
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000473:pathology*