Giant Lipoma of the Larynx: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Fewer than 15% of lipotnas occur in the head and neck. To date, fe wer than 100 cases oj laryngeal lipoma ha ve been reported in the lite rature. Typi cal clinical nianifestations include dysp hag ia, dyspnea and hoarseness, as well as the presence oj a smoo th or pedun culated mass seen endos copically and a low attenuation mass on computed tomography scan. Pathologic sections commonly reveal a tumor consisting ofmatu re adipocytes, which is often encapsulated. Treatm ent of laryn geal lipoma varies fro m conservative total endos copi c removal to externa l surgical approaches. The fo llow ing is a report ofa single case oflaryngeal lipoma, including pathologic and radiologic fin din gs, as well as a review oj the literature.

Lipomas of the head and neck: presentation variability and diagnostic work-up

“…24 Laryngeal lipoma Lipomas of the larynx are rare, with fewer than 100 cases reported in the literature. 26 The precise number of cases is difficult to determine because a number of lesions initially classified as laryngeal in origin actually were hypopharyngeal. In a review by Zakrzewski 27 of 70 published laryngeal cases dating back to 1898, 54 lesions were actually extrinsic, or hypopharyngeal, in origin.…”

“…The endoscopic appearance of laryngeal lipomas is quite varied, ranging from a submucosal mass to a pedunculated, intralumenal projection. 26,29 Treatment varies from conservative total endoscopic removal to external transcervical surgical resection using thyrotomy, transhyoid or lateral pharyngotomy approaches for appropriate exposure, especially in large, non-pedunculated tumours. 26 Parotid lipoma Lipomas of the parotid gland region comprise an interesting group of tumours that are seldom considered in the pre-operative differential diagnosis because of their rarity.…”

“…26,29 Treatment varies from conservative total endoscopic removal to external transcervical surgical resection using thyrotomy, transhyoid or lateral pharyngotomy approaches for appropriate exposure, especially in large, non-pedunculated tumours. 26 Parotid lipoma Lipomas of the parotid gland region comprise an interesting group of tumours that are seldom considered in the pre-operative differential diagnosis because of their rarity. The incidence of lipoma among parotid tumours ranges from 0.6 to 4.4 per cent, with most series reporting an incidence of approximately 1.0 per cent.…”

Lipomatous lesions of the head and neck region: imaging findings in comparison with histological type

“…Lipoma is the most common mesenchymal tumour, but only about 25% of lipomas and their variants arise in the head and neck region, where they account for 0.1%-5% of all benign tumours [1][2][3][4][5]. Lipoma is a benign lesion usually of little clinical concern.…”

“…Il lipoma è il tumore mesenchimale più comune ma solo nel 25% circa dei casi tale neoplasia e le sue varianti originano nella regione testa-collo, dove costituiscono lo 0,1%-5% del totale dei tumori benigni [1][2][3][4][5]. Il lipoma è una neoplasia benigna, generalmente di scarso rilievo clinico.…”