Submandibular lipoblastoma: Case report of a rare tumor in childhood

Imaging of head and neck lipoblastoma: case report and systematic review

Lipoblastoma is a rare and benign tumour arising from embryonal fat cells, predominantly diagnosed in children younger than 3 years old. The most frequent locations are the extremities and trunk, while the head and neck areas are more rarely affected (10-15% of total cases). Clinically, the most common presentation is a fast-growing painless mass. Ultrasound is the first-line imaging examination, but Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows for better definition of the relationships with the adjacent vascular and muscular structures. It can help to identify the lipomatous components, and it is useful for preoperative planning. However, the definitive diagnosis is provided by histopathological examination. Complete surgical excision is the first-line treatment, with a good prognosis in case of total eradication. We report the case of a 7-month-old male child with a rapidly growing mass that had typical radiological features of lipoblastoma.

Head and neck lipoblastomas: Report of 3 cases and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign tumor arising from embryonic white fat which occurs in the early childhood. It usually arises on the extremities and considered as a rare cause of a pediatric head and neck masses. The aim of this study is to shed light on lipoblastomas as a differential diagnosis of rapidly growing soft fatty masses of children in neck and head area.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of 3 patients with lipoblastoma, underwent Surgical resection (case 1 and 2) by cervical approach. The third patient with a facial lipoblastoma was not operated due to the high risk of facial paralysis. Review of literature, diagnostic methods and genetics of lipomatous tumors are discussed.

RESULTS

Complete surgical excision via a cervical approach demonstrated irregular lobules of immature fat cells separated by a loose, myxoid connective tissue. Histology analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lipoblastoma.

DISCUSSION

Lipoblastoma is a rare childhood tumor, even rarer in head and neck area. The pathogenesis is unknown, though it is believed to arise from altered embryogenesis of human white fat and genetic predisposition, as chromosome 8 abnormalities may be implicated in the development of lipoblastoma. The presumptive diagnosis is performed by imaging. The most important differential diagnosis of lipoblastoma is myxoid liposarcoma. The mainstay of treatment is complete non-mutilating resection of the tumor to avoid recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Lipoblastoma should be suspected in case of heterogeneous fatty tumor in head and neck area, and included as a differential diagnosis of cervical masses in children younger than 3 years. The mainstay of treatment is complete surgical excision with a good prognosis.

Rapidly Growing Facial Tumor in a 5-Year-Old Girl

The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, radiological and histological characteristics that define lipoblastomas with special emphasis on differential diagnosis. The patient is a 5-year-old girl who consulted for a rapidly growing lower cheek tumor. This study analyzes, evaluates, and discusses the issues that need to be addressed throughout the process that affect treatment planning and provides an updated review of these rare head-and-neck tumors.

[Multivisceral resection of lipoblastoma of four anatomical areas of the head and neck with simultaneous neurotization of the facial muscles in an 8-months child. Clinical case]

The article describes diagnostics and surgical treatment of a rare benign tumor (lipoblastoma) of four anatomical areas of the head and neck in an 8-months child. Diagnostic data, surgical procedure performed using microsurgical techniques and intraoperative neuromonitoring and the patient's condition in the long-term postoperative period are presented. The histological conclusion about the removal of the tumor with negative resection margins suggests favorable prognosis of the disease.