THE ROENTGENOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN TOTAL LIPODYSTROPHY

The syndrome of total lipodystrophy has complex clinical, laboratory, and roentgenologic findings. Many of these findings may be explained, in the light of our present state of knowledge, by a hypothesis of hypothalamic origin. Further biologic, neurophysiologic, and pathologic studies will be needed to determine the true etiology and pathogenesis of this condition.A review of the roentgenographic findings in total lipodystrophy, as recorded in the literature and detailed interpretation of the present cases, has been made. The composite of roentgenologic findings is thought to be diagnostic of this condition. It is suggested that it may be possible, in the future, to differentiate the congenital type from the acquired type of total lipodystrophy by using the roentgenologic criteria discussed herein. More cases, with detailed roentgenographic findings, need to be reported to substantiate this finding.