Your search

Lipedema of the legs is a symmetrical thickening of upper and lower leg and topically accentuated fat pads. The back of the foot is usually free of swelling. Pathogenetically it is a disturbance of the distribution pattern of subcutaneous fat tissue. Epidemiologically, the subjects affected are women, starting from puberty. Weight reduction programs do not influence the real deformations. If this abnormal fat tissue is infiltrated by angiological diseases, these manifest themselves in modified form. In particular, all the symptoms are more painful. In arterial ischemic syndromes that taut skin is susceptible to necrosis at atypical locations. For reconstruction of trunk arteries it is advisable to bypass larger bulges for better wound nealing. Venous strips should be peeled out away from fat pads and venous-bridges very carefully to protect the tissue. Acute and chronic phlebothrombosis lead to unusual and asymmetrical forms of swelling. The venous ulcer lies directly beneath a fat-muff in the gaiter region. Since they are hard to compress, free skin transplants should be considered early in the course of development. Surgery of varicose veins calls for most careful technique to ensure wound healing. From the lymphological viewpoint there are clinically and lymphographically mixed forms of lymphedema with lipedema.

This condition, which has the full name of 'erythrocyanosis frigida crurum puella rum' (cold reddish blueness of the legs of girls), is extremely common. It is not always recognized, being misdiagnosed as lymphoedema, vasomotor disease, arterial insufficiency, and other things. The skin of the legs is cold to the touch and exhibits patches of bluish discoloration. There may be chilblains and small superficial ulcerated areas. There is often an abnormally large amount of fat particularly above the ankle and around the tendo Achillis. For this reason it is sometimes called ' lipoedema'. The affected patches are often hypersensitive to light touch and may irritate with changes of temperature. Deeper palpation may reveal tenderness and nodularity of the underlying fat. The condition is usually symmetrical or alsmost so. The feet often remain normal. At typical case is illustrated in Figs. 14.22 and 14.23

While the term cellulitis is incorrect, it is commonly used and deserves a nosological classification. "Cellulitis is a dermohypodermosis and an oedemato-sclerous panniculopathy- It is indeed a true histangiography in which the fibroblastic reaction predominates over capillaro-veinular changes. Adipocytes of exaggerated size interpenetrate into micro- and later into macronodules marked off by more or less structured conjunctive fibrilla, thereby making treatment difficult.

Systemic causes of leg edema include idiopathic cyclic edema, heart failure, cirrhosis, nephrosis and other hypoproteinemic states. Lymphedema may be primary, or secondary to neoplasm, lymphangitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis and, rarely (in the U.S.), filariasis. Thrombophlebitis and chronic venous insufficiency are not uncommon causes. Finally, infection, ischemia, lipedema, vascular anomalies, tumors and trauma can be responsible for the swollen leg.

En último término, el edema de los miembros se produce siempre a través de perturbaciones circulatorias. Estas alteraciones pueden tener un origen central o sistémico: afecciones cardiovasculares, renales, tiroideas o humorales (hipoproteinemia) y pueden también tener un origen periférico: insuficiencia venosa, linfoedema, etc. Uno de los problemas más difíciles de controlar para el médico es el edema de las piernas, de origen periférico, esto es sin relación con alteraciones cardiorrenales, tiroideas o humorales,. en otras palabras el edema consecutivo a la insuficiencia venosa que sucede como grave secuela a las flebotrombosis o flebitis, al linfoedema, etc. En los últimos años se ha avanzado bastante, sin embargo, en la prevención y en el tratamiento de estos edemas de origen periférico merced al mejor conocimiento de la fisiopatología, lo que supone un perfeccionamiento diagnóstico y a favor del uso de nuevos medios de tratamiento como ,los anticoagulantes y las vendas elásticas. Uno de los aportes más interesantes que se han hecho en el diagnóstico y diferenciación de estos sindromes es la descripción de una entidad clínica, hecha en Marzo de 1940 por dos investigadores de la Clínica Mayo: Allen y Hines que denominaron lipoedema de las piernas. Se trata de un aumento de volumen simétrico y generalizado de las piernas por aumento de los depósitos adiposos subcutáneos y por edema, que afecta casi exclusivameñte a las mujeres. A la descripción del cuadro clínico hecha en 1940 hemos sumado como antecedente bibliográfico un trabajo de conjunto que nos ha enviado directamente el Dr. Edgar v. Allen desde la Clínica Mayo, que no se ha publicado aún, y que reúne la experiencia de dicho servicio desde 1937 hasta 1946 .

Lipedema is a chronic, progressive disorder of adipose tissue that predominantly affects women, characterized by symmetrical fat accumulation in the extremities, pain, and resistance to caloric restriction. Recent insights suggest that lipedema represents a hormone-driven gynecological fat disorder, in which estrogen receptor (ER) imbalance plays a central role. The predominance of ERβ activity and suppression of ERα signaling are hypothesized to drive adipose hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation, particularly in the context of intracrine estradiol excess. This model aligns lipedema with other estrogen-sensitive conditions, such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids, and provides a novel framework for understanding its pathophysiology. Therapeutically, this reframing opens new perspectives for hormonal modulation using selective progestins (drospirenone, gestrinone) and metabolic adjuncts such as tirzepatide, beyond the current symptomatic or surgical approaches.

Lipoedema is a chronic disease with various manifestation of symptoms, related to excessive deposition of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the legs, hips and buttocks. The scale of the problem is enormous and may affect up to one in five women. Lipoedema is often underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed with lymphedema, obesity or lipohypertrophy. In recent years, lipoedema has been diagnosed in an increasing number of younger women, and its first symptoms may manifest already in puberty. Even though it is often perceived as only an aesthetic problem, it has a huge impact on the quality of life, mental health, self-esteem or self-confidence. Moreover, lipoedema causes stigmatization, unfortunately also in healthcare professionals. Nevertheless, recently, diagnostic criteria (also ultrasound) have been created, and lipoedema has been classified in ICD-10 (E88.2). There are also more and more treatment options, with emphasis on the role of psychological care. Awareness and knowledge of lipoedema have also increased despite its underestimation but still is not enough. The multidimensional nature of lipoedema and its impact on many aspects of life highlights the essential role of comprehensive support to patients. Nowadays, in times of caring for mental health, it is crucial to increase public awareness and spread knowledge about lipoedema.