Giant retroperitoneal lipoma in an infant

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Rare Tumors

Background:

• Retroperitoneal lipomas are uncommon benign tumors originating from adipose tissue within the retroperitoneum.
• While rare overall, pediatric cases are exceptionally infrequent, posing diagnostic and management challenges.
• Literature review indicates a paucity of documented pediatric retroperitoneal lipoma cases.

Observation:

• A six-month-old infant presented with a large, asymptomatic retroperitoneal mass.
• Diagnostic imaging confirmed a giant lipoma, a fatty tumor in the retroperitoneal space.
• The child had no significant comorbidities or symptoms attributable to the mass.

Findings:

• Complete surgical excision of the giant retroperitoneal lipoma was performed.
• Histopathological examination confirmed the benign nature of the adipose tissue tumor.
• Post-operative recovery was uneventful, with no immediate complications.

Implications:

• This case highlights the successful management of a rare pediatric retroperitoneal lipoma through complete excision.
• Complete surgical removal appears to be an effective treatment, preventing recurrence in pediatric patients.
• Further case reports are valuable for understanding the natural history and optimal management of these rare pediatric tumors.