Benign symmetric lipomatosis (Launois–Bensaude syndrome)

Abstract

A 37-year-old woman with a personal history of appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, left oophorectomy secondary to an ovarian cyst complication, nephritic colic with repeated episodes of pyelonephritis, alcoholic hepatopathy, Raynaud's phenomenon and bilateral exophthalmos showed an increase in volume in the root of the upper limbs and in the base of the neck over a period of 4 years, painful to the touch and of a soft consistency. She presented with a pseudo-athletic appearance (Fig. 1) produced by an increase in the volume at the root of the upper limbs, upper back and the back of the neck (Fig. 2). The lesions produced a pulling sensation and were associated with paresthesia, hyperesthesia, and a moderate loss of strength in both arms. A biopsy taken from the upper third of the right arm showed a diffuse proliferation of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, which appeared normal, and extended between the collagen fibers, reaching in some cases into the most superficial zones of the reticular dermis (Fig. 3). Laboratory evaluation revealed a chronic anemia, leukopenia with moderate lymphopenia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, elevation of enzymes of hepatic function, decrease in total proteins, and increase in ferritin, all in the context of hepatopathy. Antinuclear antibodies and the hormonal profile were normal. Abdominal and gynecologic echography revealed a right ovarian cyst of no clinical relevance. Cranial nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed an increase in the periorbital fat responsible for bilateral exophthalmos.

Benign Symmetric Lipomatosis of the Medial Knees: A Case Report

“…In advanced cases, the fat deposition causes dyspnea. In this condition, a thick and disfiguring subcutaneous deposit of white fat gradually infiltrates the neck, extending from the head to the shoulder (7).…”

Induction of Benign Symmetric Lipomatosis (Launois-Bensaude Syndrome) in a Female Patient after Liver Transplantation

“…Dietary management does not help. Even in patients with neoplastic diseases and accompanying cachexia, no effect on the lipomatosis was reported [1, 5]. Abstinence from alcohol can only effect a stagnation of progression, but no regression.…”

“…Histologically, there is normal adipose tissue to be found, which is not encapsulated and involves the overlying reticular dermis. Plus, there are no signs of malignancy [5]. Different reports exist concerning lipocytes in BSL.…”

Precalcaneal Congenital Fibrolipomatous Hamartomas: Report of 3 Additional Cases and Discussion of the Differential Diagnosis

“…Histological normal fatty tissue with sole connective-tissue fibers is seen. As the fatty tissue is not encapsulated, it can grow into adjacent structures [19, 20]. …”