Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with Dercum\u2019s disease which is also known as \u201cAdiposis Dolorosa\u201d which translates to \u201cpainful fat\u201d. This novel technology focuses beams of ultrasound energy precisely and accurately on targets deep in the body without damaging surrounding normal tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How it Works<\/strong> Advantages<\/strong> For certain patients, focused ultrasound could provide a noninvasive alternative to surgery with less risk of complications \u2013 such as surgical wound healing or infection \u2013 at a lower cost. It can reach the desired target without damaging surrounding tissue and is repeatable, if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the present time, there are no clinical trials recruiting patients for focused ultrasound treatment of Dercum\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Foundation updates these pages regularly, but with the increasing number of clinical trials, we want to be sure that our audience has the latest information available. Therefore, we also added the website search information for the above trials. If you click here<\/strong><\/a>, it will take you to the latest information available from https:\/\/www.clinicaltrials.gov\/<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Search for a treatment center or clinical trial near you.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Focused ultrasound treatment for Dercum\u2019s disease is not yet approved by regulatory bodies or covered by medical insurance companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shemer A1, Brawer S, Amichi B, Azhari H. Noninvasive lipoma size reduction using high-intensity focused ultrasound<\/strong><\/a>. Dermatol Surg. 2013 Oct;39(10):1446-51. doi: 10.1111\/dsu.12269. Epub 2013 Jul 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Singal, A., Janiga, J., Bossenbroek, N. and Lim, H. (2007), Dercum’s disease (adiposis dolorosa): a report of improvement with infliximab and methotrexate<\/strong><\/a>. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 21: 717. doi:10.1111\/j.1468-3083.2006.02021<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where the beams converge, focused ultrasound produces precise ablation (thermal destruction of tissue) enabling Dercum\u2019s disease to be treated without surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The primary options for treatment of Dercum\u2019s disease include pain medication and invasive surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\nClinical Trials<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Find a Treatment Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Notable Papers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n