Sonographic findings of a large vulvar lipoma

Abstract

Lipomas of the vulva are rare benign tumors that consist of mature fat cells often interspersed with strands of fibrous connective tissue. They arise from the vulvar fatty pads and present as soft, multilobulated subcutaneous neoplasms. Histological examination reveals a thin capsule surrounding a lobular proliferation of lipocytes. Liposarcomas of the vulva have been described rarely. We present the sonographic findings of a large lipoma of the vulva, and demonstrate the contribution of topical application of a high-frequency transvaginal transducer in depicting lobular structural features, characteristic of this soft tissue tumor.

Vulvar lipomas in children: an analysis of 7 cases

“…In previous reports, a well-demarcated pedunculated mass was a common finding [4,5,8,9], and presentation as ambiguous genitalia were found [3,6]. However, nonpedunculated vulvar swelling because of subcutaneous fat deposition has also been reported [10,11]. In our study, the latter appearance was more common.…”

“…In a review of the relevant literature, approximately 70 cases of vulvar lipomas have been reported, and all of the reported literature was limited to case reports [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The incidence of vulvar lipomas in children is so low that fewer than 10 cases have been reported [2][3][4][5][6].…”

Huge Vulvar Lipoma and Uterine Fibroid: Concomitant female genital Mesenchymal Lesions at Different Sites

“…They present as soft, multi-lobulated subcutaneous neoplasms [5]. They have been identified from infancy to the ninth decade [3][4][5][6]. Etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear; trauma has been implicated in some cases [4,5].…”

“…They present as single or multiple slowly growing, painless and mobile soft tissue swelling with a characteristic doughy feel. They appear as ill-defined, well-demarcated, or pedunculated masses that are non-adherent to the skin [4][5][6][7]. Histologically, they must be distinguished from well-differentiated liposarcomas by tumor sampling [3].…”

“…Histologically, they must be distinguished from well-differentiated liposarcomas by tumor sampling [3]. Although non-excisional treatments for lipomas (such as steroid injections and liposuction) have become common [7,8], complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice for vulvar lipomas [3][4][5][6]. Steroid injections are reserved for small lipomas, and liposuction not allows complete resection or histopathological evaluation of the tumor [4][5][6][7].…”