Korean J Dermatol.  2024 Feb;62(2):114-117.

A Case of Acute Lipodermatosclerosis Caused by Calf Muscle Atrophy

• Lee KJ
• Lee JW
• Shin HT
• Byun JW
• Shin J
• Choi GS

Abstract

Lipodermatosclerosis is a type of sclerosing panniculitis that typically affects the lower legs and is frequently associated with vascular dysfunction. The cause of lipodermatosclerosis is not clearly understood, but it is believed to be associated with chronic venous insufficiency, obesity, arterial hypertension, arterial ischemia, and thrombophlebitis. Furthermore, in patients with lipodermatosclerosis, not only deep venous incompetence but also calf muscle abnormality can be observed. Increased muscle fat infiltration is associated with spinal stenosis, which leads to a reduction in calf muscle pump function. Our patient, who is obese and has had spinal stenosis for a long time, presented with a sudden onset of heating sensational erythematous patch on the right lower leg. A muscle biopsy revealed fat infiltration, and an incisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lipodermatosclerosis. Our case suggests that increased fat infiltration in the muscles, along with spinal stenosis, leads to calf muscle atrophy, potentially resulting in acute lipodermatosclerosis.

Keyword

Lipodermatosclerosis; Muscle atrophy