Pleomorphic Lipoma of the Neck in an Infant: A Rare Clinical Entity

Adipocytic tumors in Children: A contemporary review

Adipocytic neoplasms in the pediatric population demonstrate a different histologic spectrum and frequency than in adults. The vast majority of these tumors are benign, with lipoma being the most common entity. The identification of signature cytogenetic and molecular alterations for certain lesions, such as PLAG1 gene rearrangement in lipoblastoma and FUS-DDIT3 fusion in myxoid liposarcoma, has been helpful in approaching these neoplasms and aiding in confirming the diagnosis. Furthermore, it is important for pathologists to recognize that adipocytic neoplasms may be associated with different syndromes with potential impact in managing such patients. This review provides a summary of the clinical pictures, histologic characteristics, molecular alterations, differential diagnoses, and syndromic associations of the commonly encountered fatty tumors in children.

Lipoma of the Neck

BACKGROUND:

Lipomas are benign formations with the mesenchymal origin, which are found in the head and neck region in a very small percentage of cases. In these cases, they usually occur in the posterior neck and usually grow very slowly without causing complaints. However, when they cover the front of the neck, it is necessary to confirm the adipose origin of a tumour and to exclude the connection with the thyroid gland. Although in principle, lipomas are benign, there are three more unfavourable possibilities of 1) malignancy of lipomas, 2) the occurrence of de novo liposarcomas or 3) the association of lipomas with other tumours, such as retinoblastoma.

CASE REPORT:

We present a 74-year-old woman with a painless subcutaneous formation in the neck. A Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNA) was performed, with the conclusion of the cytological result for lipoma. Surgical removal was planned under general anaesthesia.

CONCLUSION:

Usually, lipomas do not require surgery, but when they engage muscles they become indicative of surgical treatment.