Unusual cases of multiple symmetrical lipomatosis with neurological disorders

Multiple symmetric and multiple familial lipomatosis

Lipomas are the most common soft tissue tumors and are malignant in only 1% of cases. Lipomatosis is defined as the presence of multiple benign lipomas on the body, without lipoatrophy. Their impact on quality of life is significant. Different entities have been described such as symmetrical multiple lipomatosis (MSL), also called Madelung's disease and familial multiple lipomatosis (FML). MSL occurs preferentially in men (but also women) who are alcohol abuser. There are different subtypes of the disease, the most classic of which affects the upper body and the nuchal region with a buffalo hump appearance. A metabolic component with obesity is frequent. In contrast to Dercum's disease, there is no pain. SAOS, complications of the metabolic syndrome and of alcohol abuse including cancers, may be associated and should be screened. FML has been little described in the literature since Brodie's first report in 1846. FML occurs preferentially in the third decade but equally in women and men. Its autosomal dominant component is classically accepted with variable penetrance within the same family. Association with naevi, angiomas, polyneuropathies and with gastrointestinal comorbidities has been reported. Interestingly, and in contrast with most lipodystrophy disorders, the patients show an insulin sensitivity profile. A better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms would open up avenues on therapeutic research, since treatments are only symptomatic to date.

Madelung's Disease Leading to Presenile Dementia in a Non-alcoholic Patient

Introduction

Madelung's disease (MD) is a rare disorder of unknown etiology defined as the presence of multiple and symmetrical fatty accumulations most commonly involving the upper trunk, neck, and head. Excessive alcohol ingestion has been linked traditionally to the pathogenesis of the disease. The central and peripheral nervous system could both be affected. Presenile dementia, without alcohol abuse, has been rarely reported in the literature as a complication.

Aim

The aim of this case report is to highlight that multiple symmetric lipomatosis can be complicated by presenile dementia even if the patient is non-alcoholic.

Case Report

This case report describes a middle age non-alcoholic woman who presented for increased forgetfulness. Brain CT scan showed cerebral and cerebellar atrophy inappropriate for her age. Despite being started on anticholinergic drug, her MMSE decreased 3 points in 1 year.

Conclusion

Clinicians should consider early onset dementia as a potential complication of Madelung's disease even in patients with no preceding history of alcoholism. A brain MRI and MMSE can aid with identifying such a complication.

Syndromic lipomatosis of the head and neck: a review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Patients with syndromic causes of lipomatosis of the head and neck, although rare, often present late in the course of the disease in a myriad of ways, including concomitant airway obstruction, severe functional limitations, and/or significant cosmetic defects. The goal of this report was to review the literature and present a concise overview of the major syndromes causing lipomatosis of the head and neck.

METHODS

A literature search was performed to gather information on syndromic lipomatosis of the head and neck region. PubMed was searched for the following conditions: Familial multiple lipomatosis (FML), multiple symmetrical lipomatosis (MSL), congenital infiltrating lipomatosis of the face (CIL-F), and Nasopalpebral lipoma-coloboma syndrome (NLCS). Data gathered included results of surgical cases of the head and neck region.

RESULTS

A total of 48 reports comprising 172 cases of syndromic lipomatosis of the head and neck region were deemed eligible for review. Eighty-five percent of patients were male with an average age of 35 years. Seventy-four percent of cases appeared in the neck region, whereas 23 % presented in the face and scalp. 89 % of cases were treated with surgical excision, with 11 % of cases treated with liposuction. The most common complications were hematoma and seroma in MSL, recurrence in FML, neuropraxia in CIL-F, and mild telecanthus in NLCS.

CONCLUSIONS

Syndromic causes of lipomatosis are generally benign in nature but difficult to control long term. Because these conditions include frequent recurrence and subsequent difficulty in clearing the disease, the authors advocate early and aggressive surgical excision of syndromic lipomatosis.

NO LEVEL ASSIGNED

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Case report of comorbid alcohol-induced psychotic disorder and Madelung's disease

Madelung's disease, also known as benign symmetric lipomatosis (BSL), multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL), fatty neck syndrome or Launois-Bensaude syndrome, is a rare disease characterized by the presence of multiple, symmetric, loose adipose tissues distributed around the neck, occipitalis, shoulder, back or chest. The fat masses are non-encapsulated and therefore can move freely between adjacent areas. This disease is most commonly seen among middle-aged Caucasian men of Mediterranean origins; it is rarely reported in Asia. Among individuals with Madelung's syndrome, 60 to 90% have a history of chronic alcohol abuse. We report a case of a 51-year-old Chinese man with a history of alcohol use disorder who had fat masses in his neck which gradually enlarged over a period of three years. Based on the case history and the results of physical examination, neck CT and other routine tests, he was diagnosed with Madelung's syndrome.