Lipoma (in dermatology means various)

LIPOMA in dermatology means various processes. L. (lupous nodule) is the primary element of lupus tissue. Since in pathological anatomy by 'nodule' is usually meant focal proliferations of cellular granulation tissue in various infections (tuberculosis, syphilis and others) in the form of nodules, in order to avoid confusion with the lupous nodule, the name 'lupoma' has been proposed for the latter. However, it did not receive widespread acceptance, and in dermatological literature the term 'lupous nodule' is most often used. L. is a yellowish or brownish-red nodule the size of a pinhead to a pea with a smooth and shiny surface. L. possesses two pathognomonic signs: a) very soft consistency, due to which it can be pierced even with the blunt end of a probe, which easily penetrates its tissue; b) when pressure is applied to L. with a glass (diascopy), the surrounding tissue becomes bloodless, and a typical brownish-yellow, clearly defined spot of 'apple jelly' color remains. This spot apparently depends not on the presence of any coloring substance, but on the increased transparency of L., resulting from the local disappearance of elastic and connective tissue. Haxthausen on the basis of his studies of excised lupous and normal tissue was able to confirm this with the help of a spectrograph. -Lipoma, according to the terminology of Gerber, is a tumor-like form of tuberculosis of mucous membranes, often originating from the anterior part of the nasal septum, lower or middle turbinates. L. often has the appearance of a tumor on a stem the size of a cherry and larger. Histologically, L. consists of tuberculous granulation tissue penetrated by connective tissue. It is often found simultaneously with lupus.