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Lipoatrophia semicircularis was first described in 1974. It is a rare, but benign and reversible subcutaneous tissue atrophy that mainly affects women. It consists of unilateral or bilateral transverse, semicircular, and depressed bands that appear on the anterior and lateral region of the thighs, with an approximate height of 72 cm from the ground. Its origin has not been clearly established, and several hypotheses have been raised, including circulatory abnormalities, microtraumas, wearing of tight trousers, electromagnetic fields generated in the work environment, or electrostatic charges generated from computers or printers at office works; this “electric factor” would provoque bioelectric changes in the skin, causing direct damage to adipocytes through activated macrophages that release cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Isolated cases could be reasonably attributed to the wearing of constricting jeans (in fashion) or microtraumas produced by repetitive leaning against sharp desk furniture, among others. However, the description of multiple cases in the same company or office, a fact reported in several countries, points to an environmental origin. It has also been proposed a multifactorial origin, in which repeated trauma, environmental conditions, and individual electrosensitivity may contribute to the origin of the process. |
