Differential diagnoses and treatment of lipedema

Department for Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Dreifaltigkeitskrankenhaus Wesseling, Wesseling 50389, Germany.

Abstract Lipedema is a frequently unrecognized and misdiagnosed disorder of the fatty tissue of extremities and hips, which affects almost purely women. The beginning of the disease usually occurs with hormonal changes, such as puberty,pregnancy, or menopause. Women suffer from pain, easy bruising, and dis figurement, which may lead to early immobility and social stress. Accurate diagnosis and treatment are essential. The differentiation between obesity and lipedema is dif ficult, as these two different entities often occur together. Other differential diagnoses are lymphedema, benign lipohypertrophy, and Dercum’s disease. A therapy targeting the underlying cause of lipedema is not available because the exact etiology of the disorder is not clari fied yet. Decongestive physical therapy is the basic conservative treatment, which is usually necessary lifelong. However, liposuction has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of lipedema. The purposes of this article are to describe the symptoms and treatment options of the still fairly unknown disease Lipedema and to show the distinctions to its differential diagnoses.

Keywords: Lipedema, lymphedema, obesity, symmetrical limb enlargement, adipositas dolorosa

INTRODUCTION

Lipedema is a painful disease of the subcutaneous tissue, which was first named in 1940 by Allen and Hines. They described a syndrome characterized by “l(fā)arge legs due to the subcutaneous deposition of fat in the buttocks and lower extremities and the accumulation of fluid in the legs”[1]. It is a painful, possibly chronically progressive disorder of adipose tissue that is characterized by symmetrical swelling of the lower and/or upper limbs. Patients typically complain about increased pressure sensitivity and easy bruising and may also experience ankle edema. In advanced stages, lymphedema may additionally occur, especially in those who are obese.

Lipedema is possibly a common but underdiagnosed disorder, which is almost exclusively found in females,but, as there is no standardized diagnostic test, the exact prevalence is unknown. According to German studies, 8%-18% of patients referred to a lymphedema clinic suffer from lipedema[2-4].

The pathogenesis is not fully understood yet. Lipedema often affects several female members of the same family, suggesting a genetic disorder[5]. A positive family history is common and ranges between 16%and 64%[6], but is likely higher due to under-diagnosis. Autosomal dominant inheritance with incomplete penetrance and sex limitation is the most likely mode of inheritance[5,7]. Since the disease usually manifests or is aggravated around hormonal changes (puberty, pregnancy, and menopause), lipedema is assumed to be an estrogen-regulated polygenetic disease. It is associated with vasculo- and lymphangiopathy[8].There are numerous theories on pathogenesis. On the one hand, an altered estrogen-receptor pattern and responsiveness is assumed to exist centrally. On the other hand, pathologic estrogen-receptor patterns(alpha/beta) in the adipose tissue lead to increased lipogenesis and decreased lipolysis in the affected areas[8].

Histologically, the fat deposition is a result of hyperplasia and hypertrophy of fat cells in the subcutaneous adipose tissue[8]. Additional mechanisms were demonstrated to play a role in the pathogenesis of lipedema including increased vascular permeability and damage (microangiopathy), excessive lipid peroxidation, and disturbances in adipocyte metabolism and cytokine production[9,10]. In flammation of the peripheral nerves and sympathetic innervation abnormalities of the subcutaneous adipose tissue may be responsible for neuropathy[8]. One recent investigation on differences between adipose stem cells from lipedema and nonlipedema donors indicated thatin vitroadipogenesis of lipedema adipose stem cells is severely hampered in comparison to non-lipedema adipose stem cells and that lipedema adipose stem cells not only differ in their lipid storage capacity but also in their adipokine expression pattern[11]. The findings indicate that this might serve as a valuable marker for diagnosis of lipedema, probably from an early stage.

Due to lack of knowledge, lipedema used to be a frequently unrecognized and misdiagnosed disorder. For a long time, the disease was equated with obesity, although lipedema fat is more resistant to reduction by diet and exercise than non-lipedema fat. The condition should be clearly distinguished from other dysfunctions of fat distribution, mixed forms of obesity and lymphedema. In addition to the progressive physical symptoms and consequences (lymphatic, dermatologic, and orthopedic problems), psychosocial distress with comfort eating and depression frequently arise in lipedema patients.

The diagnosis of lipedema is usually based on medical history and clinical features[6]. One criterion is the onset of the disease in parallel with hormonal changes and occurrence mainly in women[1,12]. Lipedema typically presents with a disproportionate enlargement of the limbs in relation to the upper part of the body[6,13][Figure 1]. Increase of adipose tissue of the limbs is symmetrical, without involvement of feet or hands. Fat deposits begin abruptly above the malleoli, which creates the “cuff sign”[6][Figure 2]. Other clinical criteria of lipedema comprise spontaneous or minimal trauma induced bruising, pain, and worsening during the day[5,14].

The severity of lipedema can be classi fied into four clinical stages according to skin conditions and the sizes of the palpable and visible fat nodules[15,16][Figure 3]:

Stage 1: Flat skin with thickened subcutaneous tissue;

Stage 2: Increasing subcutaneous fat and walnut to apple-like indurations in the skin akin to a mattress;

Stage 3: Larger indurations and deforming skin-fat lobes, especially in the thighs and knee areas;

Stage 4: Development of additional lymphedema (lipolymphedema).

The development of lymphedema with lipedema (often known as lipolymphedema) can occur with any stage[10]. After a mean of about ten years suffering from lipedema, the lymphatics likely become insufficient.

In addition to the direct impairment of lymph vessels (fragility and compression by fat), a high volume insufficiency leads to increased edema.

In advanced stages, joint malformations are commonly seen due to the mass of soft tissue.

According to the pattern of fat distribution, one classi fication distinguishes five types of lipedema[17]:

Type I: Pelvis, buttocks, and hips (saddle bag phenomenon);

Type II: Buttocks to knees, with formation of folds of fat around the inner side of the knee;

Type III: Buttocks to ankles;

Type IV: Arms;

Type V: Lower leg.

There may be a mixture of lipedema types in one person. Only the arms may be affected in 3% of lipedema cases (Type IV)[18].

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Lipedema is often misdiagnosed and differential diagnosis is sometimes challenging. The disease has to be clearly distinguished from other entities.

One such is benign lipohypertrophy. Morphologically, lipohypertrophy may resemble lipedema. Women suffer from a constitutional disproportion of body shape with symmetrical hip- and thigh-obesity. The most common form of lipohypertrophy is the “riding breeches” obesity. The upper extremities are rarely affected.In contrast to lipedema, lipohypertrophy presents without pain, edema, or bruising[19]. It is thought that lipedema may develop from lipohypertrophy over time[20,21]. However, it is not entirely clear that these are truly separate conditions.

Another differential diagnosis of lipedema is primary lymphedema, which may also affect women around puberty. Concerning differences between lipedema and primary lymphedema, patients with lipedema present symmetrical swellings, whereas primary lymphedema is usually asymmetrical [Figure 4]. While lymphedema typically starts at the toes and subsequently reaches the thighs, swellings in lipedema patients usually affect the thighs first. One clinical differentiating factor is the Stemmer sign: lymphedema often presents a positive Stemmer sign, which describes the inability to pinch the skin over the proximal phalanx of the second toe, while Stemmer sign is negative in pure lipedema[22][Figure 5]. Another significant difference between lipedema and lymphedema is the presence of pain and frequent bruising in lipedema.However, a visible lymphedema can occur with any stage of lipedema[10].

Phlebolymphedema is the result of chronic venous insufficiency. It may occur in men and women, either uni- or bilaterally. Discolorations of the skin, varicose veins, or ulcer formations are typical symptoms. In contrast to lipedema, ultrasound examination in phlebolymphedema shows pathological findings. However,women with lipedema may also have varicose veins and may develop phlebolymphedema as a result of these[20].

Dercum’s disease, also known as adipositas dolorosa, describes a condition characterized by generalized obesity and painful, fatty tumors (lipomata) in the adipose tissue, occurring almost exclusively in women.The tumors are found on the extremities, without involvement of the feet. It is said that it commonly develops around menopause. In contrast to lipedema, edema is not present. Muscular weakness and fatigue,emotional instability, depression, and alcohol abuse are potential features of the disease[23]. However, it is controversial whether Dercum’s disease represents a separate entity or it is only a variant of lipedema.

Madelung’s Disease, also known as benign symmetrical lipomatosis and Launois-Bensaude disease, is a disorder of fat metabolism that results in an unusual accumulation of fat deposits around the neck (Type I),shoulder areas and upper arms (Type II), or pelvic areas (Type III). The condition is most common in men and almost always associated with alcohol abuse and liver damage[24][Figure 6].

Lipedema is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity. While obesity affects the whole body, lipedema usually affects the upper and/or lower limbs and does not involve the feet and hands. Patients with lipedema hardly respond to restricted diet[25]. Even after extreme weight loss, for example after bariatric surgery or in cancer cachexia, patients typically lose less fat in the areas affected by lipedema than in the nonaffected areas [Figure 7]. Lipedema and obesity share the hallmark of symmetrical fat increase[26]. However,differential diagnostic criteria include the different distribution of fat in obesity (which is typically more in the “central” pattern) and that the fat is not usually tender/painful. Weight loss by dieting and exercise in chronic lipedema patients can often be frustrating, because there is less fat reduction in the affected limbs than on the trunk. Furthermore, weight gain can result in excess fat deposition in the legs. Thus, in women with lipedema who cannot sustain weight loss, there is a risk of progression of the lipedema. This seems to be more likely in women who experience periods of weight loss followed by periods of weight gain. Management of any associated obesity is therefore crucial to the successful management of lipedema.Bariatric surgery may be a successful way of reducing weight and maintaining the achieved loss[27].

A recent review highlights the utility of developing a genetic diagnostic test containing candidate genes for lipedema and causative genes of diseases that can be confused with lipedema, to help differentiate lipedema from other diagnoses[28]. The list of differential diagnoses criteria of lipedema modi fied from Schmeller in 2005 is shown in Table 1[29].

THERAPY

A targeted therapy aimed at the cause of lipedema is not known because the exact etiology is still unexplained. Therapy has essentially two objectives: (1) resolve or improve symptoms (edema, pain, and disproportion); and (2) prevent disease progression and the development of complications (lymphatic,dermatologic, and orthopedic problems). A distinction is made between conservative therapy to decongest the subcutaneous tissue and surgical therapy such as liposuction to reduce adipose tissue. As discussed above, weight management is a key component of both objectives.

Conservative approaches include compression garment therapy or wrapping to reduce edema and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) as part of an outpatient context or as part of a complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP). CDP is a very time-consuming therapy, being performed twice a day for 45-60 min over a period of 3-4 weeks, mainly in lymphedema clinics in an inpatient context. A component of CDP is manual lymphatic drainage. MLD is a type of gentle skin massage which stimulates contraction of the lymph collectors and enhances protein resorption. In addition to improving lymphatic circulation, MLDincreases blood flow in deep and superficial veins[30]. Immediately after decongestive therapy, a compression bandage is applied in the form of garments or wrapping to reduce edema. CDP furthermore consists of decongestive exercises and meticulous skin care[31].

Table 1. List of differential diagnoses criteria

CDP can also be combined with intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC). During this therapy, chambers in the sleeves, gloves, or boots of the device are inflated rhythmically from distal to proximal by an air pump to improve venous and lymphatic drainage of the limbs. Pressures between 30 and 60 mmHg are used. One cycle takes approximately 30 seconds and the treatment usually 30 min. IPC can also be used at home. Other components of conservative treatments are physical activity, healthy food plans to reduce any obesity component of lipedema, and psychosocial counseling. There is, however, a current debate about the value of the use of MLD in the routine management of lipedema[32].

According to studies, decongestive treatments significantly reduce capillary fragility and the number of petechiae, as well as the mean limb volume in patients with lipedema[33]. However, conservative therapy usually presents only a short-term-success. For patients with minimal or no improvement with conservative treatment after at least 6-12 months, surgical treatment should be discussed.

Currently, there is growing interest in the use of liposuction as a surgical treatment for lipedema. Decades ago, surgical therapy of lipedema consisted of extensive lipectomies and conventional liposuctions with sharp needles without use of tumescent solution. This was associated with life-threatening complications as well as persistent postoperative edema due to damage to the lymphatic vessels. As a result, conventional dry liposuction under general anesthesia was therefore contraindicated in lipedema patients[34].

Nowadays, the “wet”, “super-wet”, and “tumescent” techniques are used, which are less likely to damage the lymphatic system compared to the conventional “dry” technique. The use of microcannulas as well as new liposuction techniques such as power-assisted liposuction with vibrating cannulas or waterjet-assisted liposuction have been shown to further minimize tissue trauma and complication rates.

When performing liposuction in lipedema patients, the crisscross technique, which is commonly used in aesthetic surgery, is contraindicated because of the higher risk of harming lymph vessels with consecutive development of lymphedema. Therefore, it is of great importance to take the lymph vessel anatomy into account and move the cannula parallel to the lymph vessels in order to save them. This is why more incisions are usually needed to remove the fat from the affected area.

Since 2005, guidelines of the German Society of Phlebology recommend liposuction as an integrated part of therapy[35]. Tumescent liposuction has been demonstrated to reduce disproportions and pain permanently[36], stop progression of the disease[35,36], and improve quality of life[37-40]. In addition, surgical therapy may reduce the amount of necessary conservative therapy[38,40]. Weight management is an important requirement for maintaining the benefits of liposuction. There are reports that fat can re-accumulate in those who put on weight after liposuction.

Most patients undergoing liposuction for lipedema require several treatments over several months.According to the guidelines, more than 4-6 liters of fat per session should not be removed because the risk of cardiopulmonary complications increases with increasing blood and fluid loss. Electrolyte imbalances are particularly dangerous. Usually, a minimal interval of at least three months between the sessions is recommended. Figure 8 shows a 36-year-old patient after five flsessions of liposuction.

In conclusion, Lipedema is a frequently unrecognized and misdiagnosed disorder. Clinicians should be aware of clinical signs and clearly distinguish the condition from other entities. Accurate diagnosis and treatment are essential because they determine the patient’s prognosis. A targeted therapy for lipedema is not known because the exact etiology of the disorder is not clari fied yet. Decongestive physical therapy is the basic conservative treatment, which is usually necessary lifelong. However, liposuction has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of lipedema. While conservative therapy may reduce symptoms temporarily, liposuction is able to remove the pathologic adipose tissue, which may result in a sustainable symptom relief. Liposuction is an effective surgical method and should be individually considered for patients suffering from lipedema. Weight management is a key component of successful treatment whether conservative or surgical.

DECLARATIONS

Authors’ contributions

Made substantial contributions to conception and design of the article: Wiedner M, Aghajanzadeh D,Richter DF

Availability of data and materials

Not applicable.

Financial support and sponsorship

None.

Conflicts of interest

All authors declared that there are no con flicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Written informed consent for publication of images was obtained from the patients shown on the images.

Copyright

? The Author(s) 2020.