[Electromagnetic lipolysis and semicircular lipoatrophy of the thighs].
BACKGROUND
The semicircular lipoatrophy of the thighs is a disorder whose incidence remained rare for years. Only recently, an "epidemic" situation emerged, affecting hundreds of subjects who shared a status of administrative employee.


METHODS
The older etiopathogenic hypotheses give way to a newer one implying the electromagnetic fields generated by computers and their wirings. The resulting modifications in the intrinsic bioelectrical properties of the skin could influence the biology of macrophages exhibiting lipophagic activity in the hypodermis. The electroactivation of these cells could lead to TNF-alpha release.


CONCLUSIONS
The semicircular lipoatrophy of the thighs is a problem that may affect an employee out of two. Rather than hoping an efficaceous drug therapy, prevention must be advocated by adapting the work conditions related to the use of computerized devices.
Flagothier
C
C
Service de Dermatopathologie, CHU du Sart Tilman, B-4000 Liège, Belgique.
Quatresooz
P
P
Pierard
G-E
GE
D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D013848:Thigh; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha