Oral Lipoma Resembling Popeye's Pipe: A Case Report

Abstract

Lipomas are benign neoplasms of mesenchymal origin. Although they are frequently seen in other parts of the body, they are rare in the oral cavity. In the oral cavity, they most often develop from buccal mucosa. They tend to grow slowly, so they may remain asymptomatic for a long time and go unnoticed. Lipomas in the oral cavity may cause deterioration in chewing-speaking and esthetic problems over time, depending on the increase in their size. The most reliable imaging method for differential diagnosis is magnetic resonance imaging. Complete excision of the lipoma is essential for treatment. In this study, a case of an unusual oral lipoma, causing nutrition-speaking difficulties in a geriatric male patient is presented.

Spindle cell lipoma of the buccal mucosa: Uncommon finding in an older adult

“…Longstanding lipomatous lesions been documented at least 8 cm in size, possibly leading to unacceptable aesthetics, and various oral dysfunctional activities involving speech, swallowing, mastication and ability to wear a denture 3,6 . Moreover, continued expansion of oral and maxillofacial lipomas has led to hypoglossal nerve palsy; obstructive sleep apnoea; and diminished adequate nutritional intake, possibly leading to weight loss, electrolyte imbalance and an increased risk for infection (especially among immunocompromised and immunosenescent individuals) 7–9 . Furthermore, buccal mucosal lipomas near the plane of occlusion and lipomas along the lateral border of the tongue may become repeated targets of injury while eating and cause pain, promoting aggregations of fibrous connective tissue and possible mucosal ulceration, as acknowledged by the featured patient and corroborated histologically 6 …”