Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Stromal Vascular Fraction-enriched Fat Grafting for the Treatment of Symptomatic End-neuromata
Published on: November 23, 2017
Surgical management of lipoblastoma
Marcene R McVay1, Jennifer E Keller, Charles W Wagner
1Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591, USA.
Background/Purpose:
Lipoblastoma/lipoblastomatosis, a rare benign pediatric tumor composed of embryonic fat, most often presents as a rapidly growing mass in children younger than 3 years. This benign tumor locally recurs up to 25% of the time. This retrospective review was done to emphasize problems with diagnosis, management, and the approach to follow-up care.
Methods:
Sixteen cases of pathologically proven lipoblastoma presenting to a single institution over a 16-year period (1988-2004) were reviewed retrospectively for clinical features and outcome.
Results:
There were 11 males and 5 females ranging in age from 18 days to 12.75 years. Preoperative diagnoses were accurate in only 3 cases. Two lesions recurred locally over a period of 10 months and 5 years. One lesion presented with local infiltration. Six lesions were right-sided, 5 were left-sided, and 5 were midline.
Conclusions:
It is important to consider lipoblastoma in the diagnosis of a rapidly enlarging fatty mass in children. Complete resection is the only definitive treatment and should not be delayed when impingement on surrounding structures is imminent. There is a tendency for these lesions to recur despite presumed complete excision. Therefore, follow-up for a minimum of 5 years is recommended.
