Benign symmetric lipomatosis associated with alcoholism

A 46-year-old man was diagnosed as having benign symmetric lipomatosis (BSL) based on the grotesque physical examination findings and subcutaneous fat tissue biopsy. Although markedly overweight, the glucose tolerance was normal and insulin levels indicated no remarkable insulin resistance on the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Furthermore his visceral fat tissue was very slight and the circulating adiponectin concentration was high those which suggesting a high insulin sensitivity. In addition, the relevance of alcohol in the onset of BSL is strongly suggested based on alcoholic hepatopathy and the history of the development of grotesque physical appearance associated with increased alcohol consumption.