A Case of Membranous Lipodystrophy with Stasis Dermatitis

Membranous lipodystrophy is a peculiar type of fat necrosis, present in patients with various types of skin disease. It is characterized by the presence of microcysts and macrocysts lined by amorphous eosinophilic material with a crenelated arabesque appearance. The eosinophilic lining and microgranules stain positively with periodic acid Schiff, are resistant to diastase. Membranous lipodystrophy can classify into primary idiopathic and secondary types. One of the most common cause of the latter is arterial or venous insufficiency. Stasis dermatitis is a consequence of impaired venous drainage of the legs. The microvascular ischemia is inconsistent and appears to be the main factor of stasis dermatitis and venous ulceration. We report a case of subcutaneous membranous lipodystrophy in a patient with stasis dermatitis.