Ann Dermatol.  2018 Dec;30(6):701-703. 10.5021/ad.2018.30.6.701.

Lipedematous Alopecia in an Asian Woman: Is It an Advanced Stage of Lipedematous Scalp?

• Hong JY
• Li K
• Hong CK

• KMID: 2428926
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2018.30.6.701

Abstract

Lipedematous alopecia (LA) is a rare disease entity that manifests as increased thickness of subcutaneous fatty tissue in the scalp with a variable degree of acquired, non-scarring alopecia. Although the pathogenesis of alopecia in LA is not clear, it is assumed that the increased thickness of subcutaneous fat retards hair growth by disturbing the peripheral microenvironment of the hair bulb. LA is clinically distinguishable from lipedematous scalp (LS) in that LS is not associated with any hair abnormalities, while LA is characterized by variable degree of hair loss. However, both LA and LS share increased scalp thickness. Here, we describe a rare case of LA on the frontal scalp of an Asian woman, further characterize the clinical and histologic features, and suggest applying an integrated diagnosis as lipedematous diseases of the scalp.

Keyword

Alopecia; Lipedematous alopecia; Lipedematous scalp; Lipomatosis

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Alopecia*
Asian Continental Ancestry Group*
Diagnosis
Female
Hair
Humans
Lipomatosis
Rare Diseases
Scalp*
Subcutaneous Fat

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Clinical appearance of a pink, dome-shaped nodule with thinning of hairs. (B) Histopathologic findings. Striking hyperplasia of subcutaneous fat tissue composed of mature adipocytes. No evidence of encapsulation. Mild decrease in number of hair follicles (H&E, ×40).

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