16 June 2011 (Thursday) - Xanthelasma


A diagnosis I'd not heard before:

A xanthelasma is a sharply demarcated yellowish collection of cholesterol underneath the skin, usually on or around the eyelids. Strictly, a xanthelasma is a distinct condition, only being called a xanthoma when becoming larger and nodular, assuming tumorous proportions, however it is often classified simply as a subtype of xanthoma.

Xanthoma is a deposition of yellowish cholesterol-rich material in tendons or other body parts in various disease states. They are cutaneous manifestations of lipidosis in which there is an accumulation of lipids in large foam cells within the skin.

They are associated with hyperlipidemias, both primary and secondary types. Tendon Xanthoma are associated with Type II hyperlipidaemia and chronic biliary obstruction.Palmar xanthomata and tuboeruptive xanthomata (over knees and elbows) occur in Type III hyperlipidaemia

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