Tendon xanthomas as indicators of atherosclerotic burden on coronary arteries.

The presence of tendon xanthomas is an almost certain indicator of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). They also reflect coronary atherosclerotic burden and therefore must be treated aggressively. Tendon xanthomas also occur in two rare conditions, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis and sitosterolemia, which are not easily confused with FH, can be easily differentiated with clinical history and biochemical tests.