[A patient with Madelung's disease at the internal medicine department]

Madelung disease, benign symmetrical lipomatosis, is a rare disorder of unknown etiology. It is characterized by the accumulation of fat deposits around the neck and upper body. It is often associated with glucose intolerance, liver disease, and malignant tumors of the lungs. This disease normally affects middle-aged males with a history of alcohol abuse. Surgical removal of the lipomatose mass is the treatment of choice. A case of Madelung disease in a 53-year old man with hepatopathy and respiratory failure is presented.