Xanthomatosis

Xanthomatosis is a condition which is often associated with lipid metabolism. Fatty deposits called xanthomas or xanthomata occur in various parts of the body, especially on elbows and knees. They appear as yellowish firm nodules in the skin. Occasionally, xanthomas also involves the deep soft tissue, other than subcutaneous tissues. Xanthomas, as such are harmless growth of tissue. But they often seek to indicate an underlying condition such as diabetes and disorders of fat with may be lipid disorder or Hyperlipidemia.

When examined under a microscope, a xanthoma consists of lipid-laden foam cells. These cells called histiocytes contain lipid material in their cytoplasm, being the non nuclear zone of the cell. The most prominent causes for xanthomatosis are high blood fats, hyperlipidemia and hereditary hyperlipidemia. The common symptoms of xanthomatosis are fatty deposits under the skin, yellow bumps on the skin surface, xanthelasma or yellow lumps of fat on eyelids, yellow lumps on joints and elbows and yellow lumps on knee. It is recommended to seek medical advice for treatment of xanthomatosis. The usual line of treatment adopted is to plan for lipid lowering medications and treat for hyperlipidemia.