Acoustic Wave Therapy: Noninvasive Treatment for Lipoma Reduction
Title: Extracorporeal Acoustic Wave Therapy and Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis
Authors: Carlotta Scarpa, MD, PhD, corresponding author Vincenzo Vindigni, MD, PhD, and Franco Bassetto, MD
This study investigated the use of extracorporeal acoustic wave therapy (EAWT) to treat a retroauricular lipoma in a patient with multiple symmetric lipomatosis. EAWT utilizes mechanical waves to activate tissue metabolism by permeabilizing cells. The lipoma’s adipose thickness decreased from 35.8 to 21 mm, resulting in increased softness upon examination.
EAWT, developed over the past 60 years, applies mechanical waves generated by electromagnetic means. These waves have unique characteristics, such as short length, high peak pressure, rapid pressure rise, and a frequency spectrum. They can pass through gases, solids, and liquids, causing disturbances and changes in intramolecular bonds. The resulting cavitation effect leads to microdamage in tissues, triggering neoangiogenesis, vasodilation, proliferation stimulation, growth factor release, and anti-inflammatory effects.
A new handpiece allows defocused supply of acoustic waves, enabling treatment of subcutaneous adipose tissue deposits. This treatment leverages two effects: increased cell permeability, leading to enzymatic breakdown of fats and cellular lysis (reducing adipose thickness), and the production of new collagen and elastin fibers, along with activation of the hematic and lymphatic systems.
The study successfully treated a retroauricular lipoma in a patient with multiple symmetric lipomatosis, a rare condition characterized by the presence of multiple noncapsulated lipomas. EAWT proved to be a noninvasive, painless, and well-accepted treatment option. Considering its positive results and features, it could serve as an alternative or adjunct to traditional surgical therapies for patients with similar diseases requiring multiple sessions.
In conclusion, EAWT shows promise as a noninvasive treatment method, offering potential benefits for patients with conditions necessitating multisession surgical therapy.