Minimally invasive approach to familial multiple lipomatosis

Minimal One-Third Incision and Four-Step (MOTIF) Excision Method for Lipoma

Excision is the gold standard for lipomas. Patients desire minimal scars, but minimal incisions can increase complications and produce hypertrophic scars. We propose an algorithmic method named the minimal one-third incision and four-step extraction method (MOTIF) for lipoma excision. This retrospective study analyzed lipomas surgically excised using the MOTIF method at our institution between January 2016 and December 2018. A total of 112 lipomas were included. The complication rates and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) for three different size groups (<3 cm, 3 ~ 6 cm, >6 cm) were compared. Complete excision of all palpable lipomas was achieved with this approach. There were two seromas, two hematomas, and one postoperative nerve injury. There was no difference in complication rates and VSS between the three size groups. The MOTIF method is a cost-effective, reliable, and cosmetically pleasing method that can be applied to all lipomas regardless of size and location.

Clinical and Molecular Investigation of Familial Multiple Lipomatosis: Variants in the HMGA2 Gene

Background

Familial multiple lipomatosis (FML) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the slow growth of encapsulated nodules spread across the trunk and limbs. Currently, there is no specific etiology; therefore, its molecular and biological bases need to be better understood. High-throughput sequencing technologies appear to be a cost-effective tool and have a pivotal role in elucidating different genodermatoses.

Objective

This study aimed to perform a clinical and molecular characterization of constitutional DNA of seven individuals belonging to five unrelated families diagnosed with FML.

Patients and methods

Clinical aspects were obtained from medical records and physical examination. HMGA2 gene was investigated using Sanger sequencing method. Mutational analysis of other genes associated with syndromic lipomatosis AKT1, APC, PIK3CA, MEN-1, and PTEN was performed through next-generation sequencing.

Results

In this series, FML was predominant among women who were overweight and reaching the age of thirty and was associated with gastrointestinal comorbidity. Histopathological diagnosis of biopsies revealed typical features of both lipoma and angiolipoma. We identified two identical novel variants with unknown significance in exon 5 of the HMGA2 gene in two participants of different families. There were no additional changes in exons 1 to 4 of the HMGA2 gene. Multi-gene panel was normal in all cases.

Conclusion

Variants found in exon 5 of the HMGA2 gene have not been described and have an uncertain significance in the genesis of FML. Further studies, including a more significant number of affected individuals and functional analysis of the novel variants of HGMA2 gene, should be undertaken to better understand its biological role in FML.

Lipomatous disorder of the peri-trochanteric soft tissue: case report and review

Disorders of fatty tissue metabolism and body contour are frequently described in the literature. Several different syndromes have been ascribed to recurring characteristics of fatty deposition with similar underlying etiologies. These syndromes can generally be classified into the lipomatoses (abnormal accumulations of fat) and the lipodystrophies (abnormal fat atrophy). The authors describe a case of isolated symmetrical lipomatosis of the soft tissue overlying the trochanters that developed a recurrence after treatment with liposuction. They have attempted to match this patient's disorder into 1 of several reported syndromes, with benign symmetric lipomatosis and acquired partial lipodystrophy at the top of the differential diagnosis. However, some characteristics of this patient may warrant a separate categorization for her condition. In this case report, the current literature on disorders of fatty tissue metabolism is reviewed and a discussion of relevant factors and issues surrounding their clinical significance and management is provided.