Abstract

Background: Lipedema is a chronic disorder of subcutaneous adipose tissue characterized by symmetrical fat accumulation in the extremities, pain, and orthostatic edema. Objectives: This study aimed to assess whether high-resolution cutaneous ultrasound can detect measurable tissue-level changes in subcutaneous tissue over six months. Methods: A retrospective, single-center, real-world longitudinal observational cohort study was conducted in 60 women with lipedema followed at three timepoints (baseline, 3 months, 6 months). High-resolution ultrasound (18–20 MHz) measured subcutaneous and dermal thickness at standardized anatomical sites. Results: All primary ultrasound parameters decreased significantly over six months of conservative multicomponent management, which included individualized nutritional counseling and physical activity. Medial proximal thigh subcutaneous thickness declined by 18.7% (48.2 to 39.2 mm; p < 0.001). Edema prevalence fell from 100% to 55.0%. Echogenicity improved significantly between 3 and 6 months, suggesting a delayed structural remodelling effect distinct from early volumetric reduction. Ultrasound reductions were inversely correlated with weight loss, suggesting that ultrasound captures tissue-level information not fully reflected by anthropometric measures alone. Conclusions: Standardized cutaneous high-resolution ultrasound detected consistent tissue-level modifications over six months of routine clinical follow-up, capturing changes beyond anthropometric measures and representing a candidate monitoring tool warranting evaluation in controlled study designs.

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