Xanthelasma
| Xanthelasma | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Xanthelasma palpebrarum |
 | |
| Pronunciation | |
| Specialty | Ophthalmology  |
Xanthelasma is a sharply demarcated yellowish deposit of cholesterol underneath the skin, usually on or around the eyelids.[1] While they are neither harmful to the skin nor painful, these minor growths may be disfiguring and can be removed.[1] There is no high-quality evidence that xanthelasma deposits are related to blood low-density lipoprotein levels or increased risk of atherosclerosis.[2]
A xanthelasma may be referred to as a xanthoma when becoming larger and nodular, assuming tumorous proportions.[3] Xanthelasma is often classified simply as a subtype of xanthoma.[4]
Diagnosis
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Treatment
Xanthelasmata can be removed with a trichloroacetic acid peel, surgery, lasers or cryotherapy. Removal may cause scarring and pigment changes, but it is an uncommon side-effect of treatment.
Etymology
The word is derived from Greek xanthós, ξανθός , "yellow" and élasma, έλασμα, "foil". The plural is xanthelasmata.
See also
- Xanthoma, which are similar collections of cholesterol around tendons
- List of xanthoma variants associated with hyperlipoproteinemia subtypes
References
- ^ a b Frew, J. W.; Murrell, D. F.; Haber, R. M. (2015). "Fifty shades of yellow: A review of the xanthodermatoses". International Journal of Dermatology. 54 (10): 1109–23. doi:10.1111/ijd.12945. PMID 26227781.
- ^ Ozdöl, S; Sahin, S; Tokgözoğlu, L (2008). "Xanthelasma palpebrarum and its relation to atherosclerotic risk factors and lipoprotein (a)". International Journal of Dermatology. 47 (8): 785–9. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03690.x. PMID 18717856.
- ^ Shields, Carol; Shields, Jerry (2008). Eyelid, conjunctival and orbital tumors: atlas and textbook. Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-7578-7.[page needed]
- ^ "Xanthelasma". Mosby's Medical Dictionary (8th ed.). 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2012.