palmar xanthomata

Last reviewed 01/2023

Plane xanthomas are characterised by yellowish to orange, flat macules or slightly elevated plaques, often with a central white area which may be localised or generalised. They often arise in the skin folds, especially the palmar creases.

They occur in hyperlipoproteinaemia type III and type IIA, and in association with biliary cirrhosis.

The presence of palmar xanthomata, like the presence of tendinous xanthomata, is indicative of hypercholesterolaemia.