Obesity-associated lymphedematous mucinosis

Obesity-Associated Lymphedematous Mucinosis: Two Further Cases and Review of the Literature

“…The pathogenesis of this rare condition has not been fully elucidated and, to the best of our knowledge, 22 cases have been reported in the English literature and are summarized in Table 1[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]. Lymphatic stasis, stimulated by the obesity, seems to determine a local hypoxia leading to the accumulation of mucin [4].…”

Skin-colored papules, nodules, and bullae on the shins in an obese female

“…[ 1 ] Clinically, it presents as skin-colored, translucent or erythematous, brown papules, nodules, and in cases of intense lymphedema, vesicles with underlying edema, and erythema characteristically localized to the shins. [ 1 2 ] Other sites such as the feet and thighs are almost universally spared. Fewer than 50 cases have been described.…”

“…Therapy comprises of low caloric diet and compression garments, pentoxifylline, and topical or intralesional steroids. [ 2 ] Response to these modalities is generally partial. Unfortunately, our patient could not be followed up to assess treatment efficacy.…”

“…There were no similar complaints in family members. On examination, she was obese (BMI was 36 kg/m 2 ). Translucent papulonodules, few tense vesicles, and depigmented patches with perifollicular pigmentation along with pitting edema were noted on the shins [ Figure 1 , inset].…”