Specialty ophthalmology ICD-9-CM 374.51 MedlinePlus 001447 | ICD-10 H02.6 DiseasesDB 28519 eMedicine oph/610 | |
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Xanthelasma (or xanthelasma palpebrarum; /ˌzænθᵻˈlæzmə/) is a sharply demarcated yellowish deposit of fat underneath the skin, usually on or around the eyelids. While they are neither harmful nor painful, these minor growths may be disfiguring and can be removed.
Contents
A xanthelasma may instead be referred to as a xanthoma when becoming larger and nodular, assuming tumorous proportions. Still, xanthelasma is often classified simply as a subtype of xanthoma.
Treatment
Xanthelasmata can be removed with a trichloroacetic acid peel, surgery, lasers or cryotherapy. Removal may cause scarring and pigment changes, but it is an uncommon side-effect of treatment.
Name
The word is derived from Greek xanthos, ξανθός, "yellow" and έλασμα, elasma, "foil". The plural is xanthelasmata.