Lipoatrophy is thought to be a postinflammatory state where there is loss of subcutaneous fat. Predisposing conditions for lipoatrophy include panniculitis, exogenous pressure, injection of medication, and antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Lipoatrophy is also a normal contributor to the appearance of an aging face.
Localized lipoatrophy has been subcategorized into the following: annular, abdominal, semicircular, and postinjection. These subcategories aim to describe clinical presentation, with the exception of postinjection lipoatrophy. The cause of lipoatrophy in annular, abdominal, and semicircular categories is thought to be postinflammatory.
Injection site lipoatrophy can be associated with insulin, corticosteroids, and antibiotics, among others, and history is a key component of making this diagnosis. Lipoatrophy associated with HIV is thought to result from antiretroviral treatment, although the exact mechanism is unknown.
Lipoatrophy in Child
Alerts and Notices
Important News & Links
Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
E88.1 – Lipodystrophy, not elsewhere classified
SNOMEDCT:
248315005 – Lipoatrophy
E88.1 – Lipodystrophy, not elsewhere classified
SNOMEDCT:
248315005 – Lipoatrophy
Look For
Subscription Required
Diagnostic Pearls
Subscription Required
Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Morphea – Hyperpigmented or hypopigmented indurated plaques. Induration is a key clinical feature lacking in lipoatrophy, and biopsy of this condition is diagnostic with broadened compact collagen bundles in a square punch biopsy.
- Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini – Blue to brown hyperpigmented atrophic plaques without induration that are often symmetric and bilateral. The transition from normal to involved skin is classically described as a "cliff drop." Symmetry of this disease can help diagnosis, as histology in this condition is often nonspecific.
- Cold panniculitis can result in fat loss.
Best Tests
Subscription Required
Management Pearls
Subscription Required
Therapy
Subscription Required
Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.
Subscription Required
References
Subscription Required
Last Updated:10/02/2019
Lipoatrophy in Child