xanthelasma

Etiology

• prevalent in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia

Epidemiology

• the most common form of xanthoma
• more frequent in women
• can appear at any age with peak incidence in 30s & 40s

Pathology

• nodules or plaques consist mainly of cholesteryl esters
• cholesterol-rich macrophages

Clinical manifestations

• non-tender yellow nodule or plaque (xanthoma), especially on the eyelid or medial canthus

Laboratory

• lipid panel:
  • elevated LDL cholesterol
  • plasma lipid levels may be normal

Complications

• associated with increased of
  • myocardial infarction
  • ischemic heart disease
  • severe atherosclerosis
  • death
• not at increased risk
  • ischemic stroke
  • cerebrovascular disease

More general terms

• xanthoma

More specific terms

• eyelid xanthelasma