Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) Practice Exam

A female patient with a BMI of 34 experiences leg pressure sensitivity, easy bruising, and bilateral leg edema. What is the most likely diagnosis?

1. Primary lymphedema

2. Secondary lymphedema

3. Lipo-lymphedema

4. Lipedema

The correct answer is: Lipedema

The symptoms presented in this scenario—leg pressure sensitivity, easy bruising, and bilateral leg edema—are characteristic of lipedema. Lipedema is a condition predominantly affecting women, characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fat in the lower body, leading to swelling and sensitivity in the affected areas. Individuals with lipedema often experience leg discomfort, pressure sensitivity, and a tendency to bruise easily due to the location of the fat and the fragility of the capillaries in the affected tissue. The bilateral nature of the swelling is also a hallmark of lipedema, as it typically does not present with unilateral edema, which is more common in other conditions such as primary or secondary lymphedema. While lipo-lymphedema may also involve both lymphedema and fatty tissue changes, in this case, the presence of easy bruising and sensitivity is more aligned with lipedema alone. This differentiation is crucial because the management and treatment strategies can differ significantly between these conditions.