Shavit E, Wollina U, Alavi A, et al.
International wound journal. Date of publication 2018 Dec 1;volume 15(6):921-928.
1. Int Wound J. 2018 Dec;15(6):921-928. doi: 10.1111/iwj.12949. Epub 2018 Jun 29.
Lipoedema is not lymphoedema: A review of current literature.
Shavit E(1), Wollina U(2), Alavi A(1).
Author information:
(1)Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Women's College Hospital,
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
(2)Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital
Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany.
Lipoedema is a rare painful disorder of the adipose tissue. It essentially
affects females and is often misdiagnosed as lymphoedema or obesity. It is
globally misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, and the literature is lacking
appropriate guidance to assist clinicians towards this diagnosis. However, the
need to recognise this disorder as a unique entity has important implications to
establish proper treatment and, therefore, its tremendous effect on patients.
Early diagnosis and treatment can turn these patients' lives upside down. The aim
of this review is to focus on the clinical guidance, differential diagnosis, and
management strategies. In addition, other aspects of lipoedema, including
epidemiology and pathogenesis, are also being discussed here. Lipoedema is
distinct from obesity and distinct from lymphoedema, although it might progress
to involve the venous and lymphatic system (venolipedema or lympholipedema or
both). Late diagnosis can leave the patient debilitated. Management of lipoedema
includes weight loss, control of oedema, complex decongestive physiotherapy,
liposuction, and laser-assisted lipolysis. However; there are increasing reports
on tumescent liposuction as the preferred surgical option with long-lasting
results. The role of more randomised controlled studies to further explore the
management of this clinical entity remains promising.
© 2018 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
DOI: 10.1111/iwj.12949
PMID: 29956468 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
