Dercum’s disease (adiposis dolorosa): a review of clinical presentation and management

Abstract

Dercum's disease (adiposis dolorosa) is a rare disease of unknown etiology characterized by painful subcutaneous adipose tissue deposits with various localization over the body. The deposits occur histologically as lipomas and are associated with overweight or obesity and a variety of psychiatric disturbances (anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances). Classification of Dercum's disease is related to size and location of adipose nodules (generalized diffuse, generalized nodular, localized nodular and juxta-articular forms). Diagnosis in based on clinical presentation and exclusion of a number of other disorders associated with lipomas. There is no generally accepted management of the patients. Liposuction or lidocaine application has been reported successful in some cases. Other therapeutic methods have been reported but their effectiveness is based on anecdotal descriptions only, and were not confirmed in clinical trials.

Giant Lipoma in the Fronto-Temporo-Parietal Region in an Adult Man: Case Report and Literature Review

“… 7 , 8 Furthermore, the occurrence of benign lipomatous lesions may be associated with other disorders such as Dercum’s disease and Madelung’s disease. 9 , 10 Among the potential risk factors that may be the cause of lipomas, there are: obesity, alcohol abuse, liver disease and glucose intolerance. 1 …”

Dercum’s Disease: Estimating the Prevalence of a Rare Painful Loose Connective Tissue Disease

“…Dercum's disease (DD) also known as adiposis dolorosa or morbus dercum is a rare loose connective (adipose) tissue disorder that is characterized by painful lipomas (fatty masses) or angiolipomas [1]. Pain in skin and adipose tissue is one of the key characteristics of DD.…”

Lesion reduction with intralesional deoxycholic acid in Dercum disease with radiographic evidence

“…Dercum disease, also known as adiposis dolorosa, is a rare disorder characterized by multiple painful lipomas most often arising in women aged 35 to 50 years. 1 There are currently no approved treatments for Dercum disease. Therapies tried with variable efficacy for symptom management include analgesics, excision, and liposuction.…”