Acquired facial lipoatrophy: A report of 3 cases with imaging features

Abstract

Acquired facial lipoatrophy is a rare disease with an unclear etiology and pathological pathway. The distinct causative factors of this disease have been not elucidated, but it is suspected to be associated with immune system-related diseases, most notably AIDS. Although the management of facial lipoatrophy is very important for patients' social life and mental health, no treatment framework has been developed due to the unknown nature of the disease manifestation. The present case report was designed to provide sequential imaging to visualize the disease progression. The clinical backgrounds of the patients are also introduced, helping characterize this disease entity more clearly for maxillofacial specialists.