Serum lipid profile and clinical characteristics of patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum

Abstract: Background: Although many factors are involved in the etiology of xanthelasma palpebrum, lipid disorder is strongly associated with its induction. Xanthelasma palpebrum, the most common type of xanthoma, usually presents in middle-aged females and results in aesthetic problems. Objective: To evaluate thelipid profile and important clinical aspects of xanthelasma palpebrum patients. Methods: In this descriptive study, we enrolled 42xanthelasma palpebrumpatients, and 42 cases of non-inflammatory skin disorders as thecontrol group, matched for age and gender.The clinical characteristics of the patients and fasting serum lipid profile were recorded for both groups. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS-16. Results: Xanthelasma palpebrum was found more commonly in middle-aged females with disease onset of less than 1 year, and without significant familial history of xanthoma. Furthermore,xanthelasma lesionswere most often seen in the upper lid with mild extension and was rarely associated with systemic disease. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding hypertriglyceridemia (p= 0.231) and hypercholesterolemia (p= 0.302). The mean serum levels of cholesterol (221.51±60.4 mg/dl), triglyceride (185.98±71.1 mg/dl) and VLDL (37.7±17.6 mg/dl) were significantly higher and themedian HDL (36.2 (31, 41) mg/dl) level was lower in thepatient group. Conclusion: In our study, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia did not reveal a significant difference between thepatient and control groups; however, mean serum values for cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL and HDL showed a significant difference between the two groups. Therefore, in addition to lipid abnormality, other factors could be involved in the pathogenesis of xanthelasma palpebrum.

Blefaroplastia associada a enxertia de pele autóloga para xantelasmas extensos: relato de caso / Extensive xanthelasma: a surgical solution: case report

O xantelasma pode ser tratado por uso de ácidos, laser ou cirurgia com fechamento primário, todos apresentando recidivas freqüentes, além de ineficazes em casos extensos. Os autores apresentam a reabilitação funcional e estética em uma paciente com recidiva de xantelasmas extensos nas porções mediais das quatro pálpebras em que foi realizada exérese das lesões associadas à blefaroplastia superior e inferior, com utilização da pele retirada para enxerto em transferência mútua, ou seja, o excesso de pele de pálpebras superiores utilizado para enxertia em pálpebras inferiores e vice-versa.

Xanthelasma can be treated with acids, laser or primary suture, all presenting frequent relapses besides being inefficacious in extensive cases. The authors present the functional and esthetic result of a female patient's case with extensive xanthelasmas on the upper and lower eyelids which were removed combined with upper and lower blepharoplasty, using the skin removed from the upper eyelids to cover the defect in the lower, and vice-versa.