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[Giant compressive mediastinal lipoma: a case report]
As Ndiaye1, O Diarra, A N Diop
1Laboratoire d'Anatomie et d'Organogenèse (FMPO, UCAD). azou.ndiaye@caramail.com
Insights
Mediastinal lipoma, a rare pediatric tumor, can cause life-threatening asphyxiation. This case highlights the severity of large mediastinal lipomas and the importance of prompt surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Pathology
Background:
- Mediastinal lipomas are rare mesenchymatous tumors composed of mature adipose tissue.
- While often asymptomatic, large mediastinal lipomas can lead to significant cardiorespiratory compromise.
- This case involves a pediatric patient presenting with severe symptoms attributable to a mediastinal mass.
Observation:
- An 18-month-old girl presented with asphyxiation, prompting evaluation for a mediastinal tumor via chest X-ray.
- The patient experienced sudden cardiorespiratory failure, necessitating emergency thoracotomy.
- Surgical exploration revealed a large fatty tumor compressing the heart and left lung.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma.
- The tumor was successfully and completely excised.
- Postoperative recovery was uncomplicated.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential severity and rapid progression of symptomatic mediastinal lipomas in children.
- Prompt surgical extirpation is crucial for managing compressive mediastinal lipomas.
- Reviewing this rare pathology contributes to understanding and managing pediatric mediastinal tumors.
Abstract:
Mediastinal lipoma is a rare mesenchymatous fatty tumor in child. Usually asymptomatic, it can cause asphyxiation. The authors report the case of an 18 month-baby-girl referred to us by the pediatric department for asphyxiation. The chest X ray was evocative of a mediastinal tumor. A sudden cardiorespiratory failure leads us to perform thoracotomy. A fatty tumor was found compressing the heart and the left lung. It was easily extirpated. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. Light microscopy showed a lipoma. This compressive form shows the severity of the mediastinal lipoma when it reaches a large size. The literature on this rare pathology is reviewed.