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Review
. 2017 Oct 9:2017:bcr2017220808.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-220808.

Lipoedematous scalp: is there an association with fatty infiltration of the parotid?

Sarah Law  1 , Rajshree Jayarajan  1
Affiliations
Review

Lipoedematous scalp: is there an association with fatty infiltration of the parotid?

Sarah Law et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Lipoedematous scalp (LS) is an extremely rare condition characterised by a soft and boggy consistency in the scalp due to an increased layer of subcutaneous tissue.In this report, we present a case of LS in a 64-year-old Indian woman. Clinical examination revealed only vague boggy lumpiness involving the whole of occipital scalp extending to parietal scalp. MRI scalp showed diffuse fatty infiltration of the scalp, particularly at the posterior parietal and occipital convexity extending to both lateral aspects of the cranium, with homogeneous signal in keeping with fat. Incidentally MRI also found diffuse fatty infiltration of the parotids.The aethiopathogenesis of LS is still unknown, however it is believed that the hormone leptin could be the key hormone in the dysregulation of fat deposition and distribution. This case report highlights the subtle features with which these cases can present and explores the literature on reported cases of LS.

Keywords: dermatology; lipid disorders; medical management; plastic and reconstructive surgery; surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MRI scan. A, Anterior; F, Feet; H, Head.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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