A case of xanthoma disseminatum

Abstract

Xanthoma disseminatum is a rare benign, normolipemic form of histiocytoxanthomatosis, affecting the skin and mucous membranes, frequently associated with diabetes insipidus. It occurs mainly in young to middle-aged adults. The cutaneous manifestations consist of hundreds of yellowish papules which symmetrically involve the trunk, face, and proximal extremities including flexures and folds. The histopathologic finding is a mixture of foamy cells, histiocytes, and inflammatory cells. We report a 6-year-old male who had disseminated asymptomatic yellowish papules and plaques on whole body including flexures since infancy. Histological examination showed infiltrating foamy cells with lymphocytes and histiocytes in upper dermis. He had normal lipid profiles and symptoms of polyuria or polydipsia were absent.