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Juxta-articular adiposis dolorosa (Dercum’s disease type IV): report of four cases and treatment by dermolipectomy

Juxtaartikuläre Adiposis dolorosa (Mb. Dercum Typ IV) – Bericht über 4 Patienten und ihre Behandlung mittels Dermolipektomie

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Summary

Juxta-articular adiposis dolorosa is a rare subtype of Dercum’s disease. It manifests mainly on the medial parts of the knees. Pain and impaired mobility are common symptoms. We report on four females (aged between 52 and 83 years) who suffered from juxta-articular adiposis dolorosa for more than 10 years. These patients were successfully treated by dermolipectomy resulting in dramatically improved pain and mobility. Adverse effects and complications were minor with a lymph fistula in a single patient which was treated by surgery.

Zusammenfassung

Die juxtaartikuläre Adiposis dolorosa ist ein seltener Subtyp des Mb. Dercum. Er manifestiert sich hauptsächlich am medialen Knie. Schmerzen und Bewegungsbehinderungen sind häufige Symptome. Wir berichten über 4 Frauen (Alter zwischen 52 und 83 Jahren), die an einer juxtaartikulären Adiposis dolora über mehr als 10 Jahren litten. Die Patienten wurden erfolgreich mittels Dermolipektomie behandelt, was sich in einer dramatischen Verbesserung von Schmerzen und Mobilität zeigte. Komplikationen waren geringgradig. Bei einer Patientin kam es temporär zu einer Lymphfistel, die chirurgisch behandelt wurde.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany

    Uwe Wollina & Dana Langner

  2. Center for Rehabilitative Medicine and Physical Therapy, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany

    Birgit Heinig Dipl-Med

  3. Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Medical Care, Emergency Medicine and Pain Management, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany

    Andreas Nowak MD

Authors
  1. Uwe Wollina
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  2. Birgit Heinig Dipl-Med
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  3. Dana Langner
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  4. Andreas Nowak MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Uwe Wollina.

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Conflict of Interest

U. Wollina, B. Heinig, D. Langner, and A. Nowak delcare that there are no actual or potential conflicts of interest in relation to this article.

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Wollina, U., Heinig, B., Langner, D. et al. Juxta-articular adiposis dolorosa (Dercum’s disease type IV): report of four cases and treatment by dermolipectomy. Wien Med Wochenschr 165, 374–377 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-015-0378-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-015-0378-1

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