Clinicopathologic Study of 37 Cases of Xanthelasma Palpebrarum; Clinical Significance of Xanthelasma Palpebrarum in Hyperlipidemiae and Cardiovascular Diseases

Jee, Min Sun; Chang, Sung Eun; Choi, Jee Ho; Sung, Kyung Jeh; Moon, Kee Chan; Koh, Jai Kyoung

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Xanthelasma palpebrarum is the most common cutaneous xanthoma. Although xanthelasma is a type of xanthoma, a half of patients in most series are known to be normolipemic. OBJECTIVE: This study is an attempt to elucidate the clinical and pathologic features of xanthelasma in Korea and to know the clinical significance of xanthelasma, especially suggested role as a marker for hyperlipidemiae and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. METHOD: Thirty seven cases of xanthelasma were clinially and pathologically analyzed. Incidence of abnomal lipid profiles and cardivascular diseases were compared with those of control group using logistic regression statistics. RESULTS: 1. The incidence of xanthelasma was 0.09% of the total number of dermatologic patients. 2. The ratio between male and female was 1: 1.8 and the mean age was 52.4 years (range;17-71 years). 3. Clinically, it typically presented as yellow or orange papules on the inner canthus of both upper eyelids. 4. The incidences of abnormal lipid profiles(hyperlipidemia and dyslipoproteinemia) are 42.4-44.0%. The levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were increased significantly. The incidence of the cardiovascular diseases was 16.2%, which was not statistically different from that of control group. 5. Histopathologic findings of 23 cases showed masses of foam cells in the upper dermis accompanied with sparse inflammatory cells and few giant cells. CONCLUSION: Xanthelasma seems to help to identify persons with abnormal lipid profiles which are risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and we recommand examination of lipid profiles in patients with xanthelasma.