Painful fat syndrome in a mate patient

Painful fat syndrome or lipoedema is a distinct clinical condition, characterised by bilateral and symmetrical enlargement of the upper and lower leg with tenderness, but excluding the feet. Lipoedema. occurs almost exclusively in females, and no male patient has been reported in the literature published in English. We report on an extremely rare presentation of lipoedema in a mate patient. A thorough study based on the case history, physical manifestations, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provided valuable clues for a differential diagnosis. Conservative treatment using weight reduction, compression-stocking application, and diuretic therapy was not effective. Tumescent Liposuction with postoperative pressure garments provided a satisfactory treatment. (C) 2004 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.