Xanthoma tuberosum: A six-month control study

Abstract

1. 1. A patient with familial hypercholesteremia and xanthoma tuberosum was studied for six months in a controlled prison environment. 2. 2. The use of a 20 gm. fat diet alone for a six-week period produced a significant fall in serum cholesterol (626 to 456 mg. per cent) in 1952 and later from 633 to 558 mg. per cent when the patient was rehospitalized in 1956. 3. 3. The use of 0.5 mg. ethinyl estradiol produced definite softening and vascularization of several tuberous deposits, lowering of the serum cholesterol from 558 to 456 mg. per cent, and a decrease in the beta globulin fraction. A lowering of total neutral fat and elevation of phospholipids occurred concurrently. Minimal side effects were observed. 4. 4. Heparin, 40,000 units given intravenously daily for one month, failed to influence the serum cholesterol level but did lower both the beta and gamma globulin. A decrease in serum neutral fat and a rise in phospholipid was noted. 5. 5. Cytellin, 8 cc. before each meal, lowered the cholesterol, alpha-2, beta and gamma globulin fractions, and decreased both the serum phospholipid and neutral fat. 6. 6. The addition of desiccated thyroid, 2 gr. daily, to the cytellin regimen failed to alter the cholesterol. There was a decrease in albumin, and a rise in alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta globulin fraction. Serum phospholipids decreased and neutral fat rose slightly. 7. 7. The addition of nicotinic acid, 3 gm. daily, produced marked gastrointestinal irritability only partially controlled by pro-banthine. There was some decrease in serum total cholesterol and in all globulin fractions.