Benign symmetrical lipomatosis (madelung's disease)

Abstract

Two patients with benign symmetrical lipomatosis (madelung's disease) have been followed for 7 and 9 years. Despite extensive surgical procedures, both patients have developed multiple recurrences. Lipomas and normal adipose tissue from the same patients were compared using chromatographic techniques. The lipomas contained significantly increased triglyceride fractions. Conservative surgical debulking is the recommended treatment.

Failure to Detect Brown Adipose Tissue Uncoupling Protein mRNA in Benign Symmetric Lipomatosis (Madelung's Disease).

“…Light microscopic examinations confirmed previous findings [12] showing that specimens resembled normal adult adipose tissue with no evidence of active fat or connective tissue proliferation. There was no evidence of brown fat (Fig.…”

Rare locations of multiple symmetric lipomatosis (Madelung’s disease)

“…Despite these typical locations of fatty accumulations, there are only a few reports on unusual locations such as the cheek with facial nerve involvement [7], tongue [15], mediastinum [16], pubic area [17], and scrotum [8,9]. The most probable reason why atypical locations are scarcely described in the literature is that they simply are rare.…”

Benign symmetric lipomatosis of the tongue in Madelung's disease

“…In the type II variant, the lipomatous tissue is diffuse and extends down over the trunk and the proximal part of extremities, giving the patients the appearance of simple obesity. Mediastinal extension of lipomatous tissue with obstructive symptoms caused by compression of the trachea and superior vena cava have been described in patients with type I lipomatosis (Argenta et al, 1981) The larynx can be restricted not only by direct compression, but also by infiltration of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.…”