Silicone Treatment of Partial Lipodystrophy

Partial lipodystrophy, a symmetrical wasting of adipose tissue from the face and proximal part of the body, is a rare disease of undetermined etiology. Despite our ignorance of the underlying pathophysiology, the clinical manifestations are entirely reversible with liquid silicone. Percutaneous injections into the subcutaneous space of the wasted area effectively restore soft tissue contours and mask the absence of adipose tissue. (JAMA230:868-870, 1974)