Clinical and Lipid Profile Studies in Xanthelasma Palpebrarum

Abstract

The clinical cand lipid abnormalities in 45 cases of xanthelasma are reported. Their findings suggest that xanthelasma is seen in some patients as an isolated clinical symptom with normal serum lipid level% representing a local derangement of cellular lipid metabolism. Nevertheless it is noted in many patients with moderate elevation of different serum lipid fractions without any other clinical manifestations, occurring probably as a resultof benign derangement of systemic lipid metabolism. Less frequently, it is observed with significant elevation of serum lipid levels in association with certain grave abnormalities like hypertension, ischaemic heart disease,' familial hypercholesterolemia, familial xanthomatosis, diabetes etc. Thus it is inferred that the symptom xanthelasma signifies disturbed lipid metabolism of several and the, patient needs thorough investigation.