J Korean Soc Radiol.  2013 Sep;69(3):193-195. 10.3348/jksr.2013.69.3.193.

A Case of Symmetrical Lipomatosis of the Tongue and a Literature Review

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Korea. radiol73@gmail.com
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
  • 3Department of Neurology, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.

Abstract

Symmetrical lipomatosis of the tongue is an extremely rare condition. To date, few cases have been reported in the literature. Symmetrical lipomatosis remains controversial as to whether it is identical to benign symmetrical lipomatosis or not. We present an extremely rare case of symmetrical lipomatosis of the tongue in a 77-year-old male. We reviewed the literature and discussed the clinical characteristics as well as the role of imaging studies of this disease.


MeSH Terms

Aged
Humans
Lipomatosis
Lipomatosis, Multiple Symmetrical
Male
Tongue
Lipomatosis, Multiple Symmetrical

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Photograph and axial CT. A. A 77-year-old man with symmetrical enlarged tongue. B. Non-enhanced CT shows diffuse low densities of the tongue tissue (arrows). C. Contrast enhanced CT shows no evidence of definite contrast enhancement in the fatty tongue tissue (arrows).

  • Fig. 2 MRI of the tongue. A, B. T1 weighted image (T1WI) (A) and T2 weighted image (T2WI) (B) show the most of lingual muscles are replaced by the fatty tissue (arrows). C, D. Fat suppressed T1WI and T2WI show diffuse low signal intensity of the tongue (arrows).


Reference

1. Parmar C, Blackburn C. Madelung's disease: an uncommon disorder of unknown aetiology? Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1996; 34:467–470.
2. Desmond AM. A case of lipomatosis of the tongue. Br J Surg. 1947; 35:210.
3. Weiss SW, Goldblum JR, Enzinger FM. Enzinger and Weiss's soft tissue tumors. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby;2001.
4. Ogawa A, Nakamura H, Takahashi H. Benign symmetric lipomatosis of the tongue: report of a case. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1988; 46:502–504.
5. Hwang BE, Lee EJ, Park HS, Hong KH. A case of symmetrical lipomatosis of the tongue. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg. 2011; 54:719–721.
6. Kransdorf MJ, Bancroft LW, Peterson JJ, Murphey MD, Foster WC, Temple HT. Imaging of fatty tumors: distinction of lipoma and well-differentiated liposarcoma. Radiology. 2002; 224:99–104.
7. Vasileiadis I, Mastorakis G, Ieromonachou P, Logothetis I. Symmetrical lipomatosis of the tongue-a rare cause of macroglossia: diagnosis, surgical treatment, and literature review. Laryngoscope. 2013; 123:422–425.
Full Text Links
  • JKSR
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr