Management of Umbilical Xanthoma

Initial Assessment and Diagnosis

• When encountering an umbilical xanthoma, it is crucial to rule out umbilical granuloma or infection first, as these conditions are more common and require different management, according to Praxis Medical Insights 1, 2

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

• The American Gastroenterological Association advises against confusing umbilical xanthoma with umbilical hernia in cirrhotic patients, which requires different management, including consideration of TIPSS and multidisciplinary surgical evaluation 3
• Praxis Medical Insights recommends against applying topical antibiotic ointments, as these promote fungal infections and antimicrobial resistance 1, 4