Lipedema is characterized by fat accumulation in the limbs, sparing the trunk, hands, and feet.
Its etiology remains uncertain, but may be related to genetic and female hormones. Several the-
ories suggest an association with chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Pain, spontaneous bruis-
ing, and increased diameter of the affected areas are the most frequent signs and symptoms.
Diagnosis is primarily clinical, but frequently supported by imaging techniques, including ul-
trasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and
lymphoscintigraphy to differentiate lipedema from other similar conditions. This study retro-
spectively analyzed ultrasonographic images of 34 female patients, clinically diagnosed with
lipedema and correlated structural patterns with different stages of inflammation and fibrosis
in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The images were obtained in 2024 using high-frequency
linear transducers (12 – 15 MHz). The findings enabled the identification of potentially char-
acteristic changes for the development of a classification that may assist in diagnosis, treat-
ment, and monitoring of this condition. However, while ultrasonography has already been
incorporated into routine medical practice to investigate lipedema, prospective and compara-
tive multicenter studies that correlate ultrasound findings with the clinical stage of the disease
are necessary to validate the applicability of this approach.