Diffuse lipomatosis in the leg after poliomyelitis.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pathology
• Medical Case Study

Background:

• Paralytic poliomyelitis can cause significant neurological deficits.
• Adipose tissue overgrowth (lipomatosis) has been linked to peripheral nerve damage in existing literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report and investigate two cases of elderly women presenting with leg enlargement after paralytic poliomyelitis.
• To explore the potential pathogenetic link between poliomyelitis and diffuse lipomatosis.

Main Methods:

• Clinical examination and patient history.
• Radiographic and angiographic imaging.
• Surgical exploration and histological examination of affected tissues (muscle, fascia, periosteum, bone, nerves).

Main Results:

• Gradual leg enlargement was observed in both patients following paralytic poliomyelitis.
• Surgical exploration revealed calf muscles entirely replaced by adipose tissue.
• Histology confirmed diffuse lipomatosis involving muscle, fascia, and in one case, periosteum and bone. Peripheral nerves showed fibrosis and myelin degeneration, with unusual angioma-like changes in vessel walls.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest a pathogenetic relationship between poliomyelitis and diffuse lipomatosis.
• Peripheral nerve damage resulting from poliomyelitis may trigger adipose tissue overgrowth.
• This study highlights a rare but significant complication of paralytic poliomyelitis.