Lipoatrophia semicircularis
E1. I have heard that some people who work with computers have strias on their legs at about thigh-level called Lipoatrophia semicircularis. Could you explain what this means? (Answer)
E2. I would like to ask about the "Lipoatrophia semicircularis". Is there any treatment or will it disappear with the time ? (Answer)
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E1. I have heard that some people who work with computers have strias on their legs at about thigh-level called Lipoatrophia semicircularis. Could you explain what this means? 
Lipoatrophia semicircularis, commonly called "ribbed thighs", is described as a rare, idiopathic condition that is characterized by semicircular impressions of the skin due to the disappearance of subcutaneous fatty tissue. In most cases the lipoatrophy is localised at the anterolateral part of both thighs at a height of approximately 72 cm measured standing up from the floor with shoes on. This corresponds precisely to the standard height of office desks.
Twenty years ago, only a few cases of this disorder were described in the scientific literature. At present, hundreds of cases have been registered in important Belgian companies.
The phenomenon appears amongst persons working in new buildings with new furniture, and who were often using new or adjusted computer equipment. This led to the suspicion that an electromagnetic field generated by cabling and computer equipment might be linked to the disease.
Other factors also occur, such as the low relative humidity of the work area (air conditioning leads to low humidity) and the materials on the top of the desk.
The disorder appears mainly in females and is reversible (disappears after a leave/holiday e.g. maternity leave).
Studies were performed to better understand the role of electricity in this phenomenon. For more information, feel free to contact Toxicology team or visit the page dedicated to Lipoatrophia semicircularis.
Feel free to contact Doctor Bart Curvers, occupational physician at KBC (Tel : + 32 2 429 85 00).
Other information at the following address:
http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/6805478 (pp 45-46)
E2. I would like to ask about the "Lipoatrophia semicircularis". Is there any treatment or will it disappear with the time ?
We should at first say that there is, as far as we know, no particular treatment. There are yet some simple tools that one can use and that may help. As a matter of fact, it is still not sure what the cause of Lipoatrophia semicircularis (L.s) is, but overall our hypothesis of an electromagnetic origin is most heard and accepted. After a first outburst of L.s. in Belgium and the formulation of our hypothesis there was a new important outburst of L.s. in Spain. Research there reached the same conclusion as ours: L.s. may be due to charges leaking from electrical appliances (computers, etc.) together with a number of other factors, e.g., inadequate airconditioning, etc. You will find in the papers below a description of the different factors that in our opinion, and based on experiments, may contribute to L.s.
Particularly with respect to your question: in some subjects the L.s. condition disappears ‘spontaneously’ but not in others. This is presumably because of a difference in sensitivity and (unintentional) changes in the environment creating particular conditions that do not favour L.s. If you want to get rid of L.s. We think that the best is to apply the simple measures described in the papers: control of airco, change of desk (other material), change of location of the desk in the room, avoid too many electrical cables or electrical apparatus nearby the working place, “isolate” the edge of the desk, etc. You should experience yourselves what will really help.
Verschaeve L., & Maes A. (2009)
Support for the hypothesis that electro-stimulation is responsible for Lipoatrophia semicircularis. Med. Hypotheses, 73, 802-806.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19338008
Verschaeve L., & Maes A. (2009)
In vitro investigations related to the 'electromagnetic hypothesis' of Lipoatrophia semicircularis. J. Appl. Toxicol ., 29, 478-482.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19577378
Maes A., Curvers B., & Verschaeve L. (2003)
Lipoatrophia semicircularis: the electromagnetic hypothesis. Electromagnet. Biol. Med. 22, 183-193.
Latest update on 06/06/2013
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