Pressure-induced Lipodystrophy from Elbow Compression

Authors' Affiliations

Randi P. Winter, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN Lorin Bibb, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN Stuart S. Leicht, MD, FACP, FAAD, Department of Internal Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

Location

Mt Mitchell

Start Date

4-12-2019 9:00 AM

End Date

4-12-2019 2:30 PM

Poster Number

131

Faculty Sponsor’s Department

Internal Medicine

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Stuart Leicht

Classification of First Author

Medical Student

Type

Poster: Competitive

Project's Category

Disease Symptoms, Skin Diseases, Anatomical Systems or Sites

Abstract or Artist's Statement

Lipodystrophic syndromes encompass a wide range of both inherited and acquired conditions whereby adipose tissue is lost or absent. We report a rare case of acquired localized, pressure-induced lipodystrophy whereby continuous elbow pressure to the distal thighs led to marked tissue disfigurement. Pressure-induced lipodystrophy is a condition that likely results from protracted, localized pressure which ultimately decreases blood flow to the surrounding tissues. Overtime, the decreased perfusion is thought to induce adipocyte degeneration and eventual tissue deformation. Our findings resemble those described in the case reports of leg crossers’ dimples and lipoatrophia semicircularis and support current literature suggesting that prolonged pressure can indeed lead to significant adipose tissue loss and local architectural distortion. Our findings are significant because pressure-induced lipodystrophy represents an avoidable condition that can be circumvented if patients and physicians are knowledgeable of the underlying causes. We highlight a rare case report to educate the public as well as physicians about the causes of pressure-induced lipodystrophy and ultimately prevent future cases of unnecessary and unintended disfigurement.

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Apr 12th, 9:00 AM Apr 12th, 2:30 PM

Pressure-induced Lipodystrophy from Elbow Compression

Mt Mitchell

Lipodystrophic syndromes encompass a wide range of both inherited and acquired conditions whereby adipose tissue is lost or absent. We report a rare case of acquired localized, pressure-induced lipodystrophy whereby continuous elbow pressure to the distal thighs led to marked tissue disfigurement. Pressure-induced lipodystrophy is a condition that likely results from protracted, localized pressure which ultimately decreases blood flow to the surrounding tissues. Overtime, the decreased perfusion is thought to induce adipocyte degeneration and eventual tissue deformation. Our findings resemble those described in the case reports of leg crossers’ dimples and lipoatrophia semicircularis and support current literature suggesting that prolonged pressure can indeed lead to significant adipose tissue loss and local architectural distortion. Our findings are significant because pressure-induced lipodystrophy represents an avoidable condition that can be circumvented if patients and physicians are knowledgeable of the underlying causes. We highlight a rare case report to educate the public as well as physicians about the causes of pressure-induced lipodystrophy and ultimately prevent future cases of unnecessary and unintended disfigurement.