Synonyms

• Diffuse lipomatosis
• multiple symmetrical lipomas
• Madelung disease
• Launois-Bensaude syndrome

Category

Soft tissue

Behaviour

Benign

Gender

Both equally

Tissue of Origin

Adipose

Epidemiology

• Rare
• 0.6-1.7 per 100,000
• May be syndromic (familial multiple lipomatosis) or sporadic

Clinical Features

• Multiple soft tissue nodules
• Extensive lipomatosis can cause mass effect on other structures such as nerves, viscera and laryngeal obstruction
• May be associated with liver disease, alcohol consumption, hormone therapy, HIV treatment

Location

• Trunk
• Extremities
• Diffuse distribution

Imaging

• MRI: multiple well-defined lipid lesions
• CT: fat density masses

Pathology

• Mature Adipose tissue
• No atypia or malignancy

Genetics

Sporadic or familial inheritance patterns

Treatment

• Observation for asymptomatic lesions
• Surgical excision if cosmetically problematic

Prognosis

• No malignant potential
• Idopathic forms can recur after surgery
• Mass effect on critical structures can cause death

Key Points

• Benign proliferation of multiple lipomas
• No Malignant transformation

Workup - Blood Tests

No blood tests required

Workup - Local Imaging

• MRI - baseline characterisation
• Repeat MRI only if growing rapidly

Workup - Biopsy

Rarely required if characteristic imaging

Workup - Staging

No staging required

Workup - Other

Observation standard of care