Eruptive Xanthoma as Alarming Sign of Hypertriglyceridemia in Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Oswaldo Núñez Almache *
Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Perú and Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima, Perú.
Rómulo Lu de Lama
Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Perú.
Eliana Chávez Tejada
Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Perú.
Oscar Espinoza Robles
Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Perú.
Paola Pinto Ibarcena
Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Perú.
Martha Calagua Quispe
Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Perú.
Miguel De los Santos La Torre
Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Perú.
Pamela Azabache Tafur
Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Perú.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Eruptive xanthomas may be the phenotypic expression of severe hypertriglyceridemia and are usually located on the surfaces of the extensor areas and buttocks. We present a case of eruptive xanthomas in the extensor areas of the arms and legs associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia in an adolescent diagnosed with diabetes mellitus who was admitted for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). After the management of DKA, the use of maintenance insulin therapy and lipid-lowering agents were initiated with a marked reduction in triglycerides and significant improvement in eruptive xanthomas. Proper management of DM and rapid reduction of triglyceride levels were essential in preventing complications such as acute pancreatitis.
This article highlights the importance of an adequate management of the diabetic patient and the clinical suspicion of severe hypertriglyceridemia in patients with eruptive xanthoma.
Keywords: Eruptive xanthoma, hypertriglyceridemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus