Lipedematous Scalp Occurring in Two Female Siblings: Further Evidence for a Genetic Role

November 2023 in “ Skin Appendage Disorders ”

Nada Khalil, James A. Carton, Carolina P Fernandez, Neil P Patel

lipedematous scalp scalp thickness hair follicles follicular distortion perifollicular fibrosis dermis

TLDR Lipedematous scalp may have a genetic link and could be associated with psychiatric conditions.

This document discusses a rare case of lipedematous scalp (LS) in two black Caribbean female siblings, aged 58 and 63, marking the first reported instance of LS occurring in siblings, which suggests a potential genetic component in its pathogenesis. The siblings exhibited scalp thickness of 12 mm and 11 mm, significantly above the normal range of 5-6 mm. Histopathological analysis revealed prominent fat in the dermis around hair follicles, with follicular distortion and perifollicular fibrosis in the younger sibling. Both siblings had psychiatric co-morbidities and were on psychiatric medication, associations not previously linked to LS. This case contributes to the limited evidence of a genetic role in LS and highlights new potential associations with psychiatric conditions.

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research Lipedematous Scalp and Lipedematous Alopecia: Report of Three Cases in White Adults

28 citations , January 2007 in “Journal of dermatology”

Three white adults had a rare scalp condition with increased fat and sometimes hair loss, suggesting it's not limited to black women and might be more widespread.

research Hyperplasia of the Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Is the Primary Histopathologic Abnormality in Lipedematous Scalp

32 citations , June 2003 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology”

Lipedematous scalp is mainly caused by an increase in fat tissue under the skin and is different from lipedematous alopecia.