On lipoma of the buccal fat pad: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Clinical features of tumours and tumour-like pathologies involving the buccal fat pad

This study aimed to investigate the clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics of pathologies involving the buccal fat pad (BFP) and to explore the treatment protocols. The cases of 109 patients with primary pathologies involving the BFP (pBFP) diagnosed between January 2013 and September 2021 were assessed. The patients' clinical presentations and radiological and histopathological findings were analysed retrospectively, and their treatment outcomes were evaluated. The 109 pBFP were categorized as benign tumours (n = 17), malignant tumours (n = 29), vascular malformations (n = 38), and inflammatory masses (n = 25). Of the 17 benign tumours, seven were lipomas, five were pleomorphic adenomas, three were solitary fibrous tumours, and two were other tumours. The 29 malignant tumours included five adenoid cystic carcinomas, six mucoepidermoid carcinomas, three synovial sarcomas, and 15 other tumours. Of the 38 vascular malformations, 37 were venous and one was arteriovenous. Regarding the inflammatory masses, the lesions appeared after cosmetic facial botulinum toxin injection in 13 cases and after other cosmetic facial procedures in five. The upper body of the BFP was the most frequently involved site (79/109), while other frequently involved sites were the lower body (67/109) and the masseteric (41/109), temporal (32/109), and pterygopalatine (30/109) extensions.

Pediatric tumors of the buccal fat pad: lipoma and hemangioma

Background: The buccal fat pad (BFP) has prompted numerous publications in anatomy, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery over the years; however, description of surgical treatment of pathologic conditions affecting this space is rare, especially in children. An extensive search of the English literature retrieved only five lipomas and one hemangioma in this age group.Methods: The authors report on two of these exceptional pediatric tumors of the BFP: one lipoma and one hemangioma referred to the outpatient clinic for diagnosis and treatment.Results: Both children had a similar clinical presentation and a characteristic MR image. The two lesions were excised through an intraoral approach, which proved to be a fast, safe and effective technique.Conclusions: Being extremely rare, tumors of the BFP in children have an indicative clinical presentation and radiologic image. A detailed intraoral approach is described and proposed as effective and safe surgical treatment.

Bilateral buccal space lipoma: A rare case presentation

Background

The lipoma of the oral cavity is a relatively rare pathology, characterized by overgrowth of the mature adipocytes. Buccal fat pad lipomas usually interfere with the esthetics and the function of the face.

Case Report

A sixteen-year-old patient reported slow-growing swelling, which started two years ago. Clinical examination revealed two bilateral masses in the soft tissue. MRI imaging revealed a characteristic image of bilateral lipomas connected to the buccal fat pad. Surgical removal was conducted and the histology report confirmed our clinical diagnosis of common lipoma.

Discussion

The lipoma of the buccal fat pad is a benign neoplasm of the adipose tissue. It should be removed when functional or esthetic problems occur and emphasis should be put on the correct surgical technique.

Conclusions

The bilateral buccal fat pad lipoma is an extremely rare condition of the oral cavity. Surgical removal with intraoral approach is the preferable treatment, together with intense care of the anatomical structures of the buccal space. Key words:Buccal space lipoma, oral cavity, buccal space, bilateral, buccal fat pad lipoma.

Buccal space tumours

OBJECTIVE

To review the available literature as it pertains to the buccal space with a specific focus on the pathologies encountered within this space. Clinical presentation, investigations, and surgical approaches to the region are also reviewed.

METHODS

A systematic review of the available literature was performed on buccal space tumours from 1980 to 2017. Data was extracted on clinical presentation, investigations and surgical approaches to the buccal space. The pathologies encountered in the buccal space were reviewed and presented.

RESULTS

Forty-nine unique articles were reviewed, with a total 217 patients. The age of the patients ranged from 0 to 83 with a mean age of 45.8. A total of 51 pathologies were reported. The majority of these were vascular and salivary gland pathologies. The majority of salivary gland neoplasms were malignant. However a wide variety of benign and malignant soft tissue tumours were also reported to occur in this region.

CONCLUSIONS

The buccal space is a small and complex region with a variety of pathologies occurring within it. This review clarifies the differential diagnosis of a mass which presents in this area and the pathologies which occur within it.

Surgical technique of the transoral approach to remove a lipoma of the buccal fat pad

BACKGROUND

In 1727, Heister (Compendium anatomicum. Altdorf, Guill, Koleshii: editio tertia 1727: 134, table VIII and figs. 36-37) described the buccal fat pad (BFP) as an independent anatomic structure of the face; in 1801, Bichat (Anatomie generale appliquee a la physiologie et a la medecine. Paris, France: Brosson, Gabon et Cie Libraires, 1801:60) reported his fatty histologic finding. According to the literature, several pathologic tumorous conditions can arise from BFP, such as lipoma, lipoblastomatosis, liposarcoma, hemangioma, arteriovenous malformation, and nodular fasciitis; all of which are rare. After a revision of the English literature performed through PubMed between 1948 and 2008, we found 10 cases of lipomas arising from the BFP (7 cases are simple subtype, 2 are spindle cell lipoma, and 1 is fibrolipoma). The aims of this study were to introduce our clinical report of this rare pathologic entity, describe the surgical technique of the transoral approach, and discuss the potential pitfalls regarding the preoperative diagnosis and the close interrelation among the BFP, the facial buccal branches (FBBs), and the parotid duct (PD).

CLINICAL REPORT

A 43-year-old man was referred to the Maxillofacial Unit of the Novara Major Hospital with a 6-month history of a painless swelling in the right cheek. Clinical examination revealed a clearly visible, tender, slightly fluctuant mass, situated anterior to the masseter muscle and extended to the submandibular region. The patient underwent an ultrasound, a computed tomography, and a magnetic resonance imaging. Under general anesthesia with nasotracheal intubation, the patient underwent intraoral resection of BFP lipoma.

DISCUSSION

The 2 major areas of discussion are the potential pitfall regarding the preoperative diagnosis and the close anatomic interrelation among the BFP, the FBB, and the PD. First, the spindle cell lipoma, one of the most common BFP lipoma variant, can be histologically and clinically similar to a well-differentiated liposarcoma, which can be recurrent and metastatic. This issue warrants that a careful workup of the tumorous mass of the buccal space and a BFP origin must be considered in every situation. Finally, according to the recent literature, the anatomic variations of the interrelation between the FBB and the BFP are classified into 2 groups: (1) FBB passing lateral to the BFP and (2) branches crossing inside the BFP. The anatomic variations of the interrelation between the PD and the BFP are classified into 3 groups: (1) PD passing lateral to the BFP, (2) PD crossing deep to the BFP, and (3) PD running along the superior border of the BFP.