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Intrathoracic lipoblastoma in a 15-month-old infant
Bita Geramizadeh1, Farshid Javadi, Hamid-Reza Foroutan
1Transplant Research Center.
Insights
Lipoblastoma, a rare infant tumor originating from fetal fat, can occur in the chest. This case highlights lipoblastoma as a rare cause of pediatric intrathoracic masses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Lipoblastoma is a rare, benign soft tissue tumor primarily affecting infants and young children.
- It typically originates from fetal white adipose tissue.
- While most commonly found in extremities, intrathoracic and mediastinal locations are exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 15-month-old boy presented with severe respiratory distress.
- Imaging revealed a significant mass within the thoracic cavity and mediastinum.
- Surgical resection and subsequent pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lipoblastoma.
Findings:
- This case represents one of fewer than 10 reported instances of intrathoracic lipoblastoma in the English literature.
- The tumor's location within the mediastinum and thoracic cavity presented diagnostic challenges.
- Pathological analysis confirmed the adipocytic origin consistent with lipoblastoma.
Implications:
- Lipoblastoma, though typically a soft tissue tumor, must be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric intrathoracic masses.
- Early recognition and surgical intervention are crucial for managing symptomatic intrathoracic lipoblastoma.
- This case expands the known spectrum of lipoblastoma presentation and location in infants.
Abstract:
Lipoblastoma is a rare tumor of infancy. It originates from the white fetal fat in soft tissue. The most common location of this rare tumor is extremity and to best of our knowledge less than 10 cases of intrathoracic and mediastinal lipoblastoma has been reported in the English literature. Herein we present our experience with a 15-month-old boy infant who presented with severe dyspnea. Imaging studies showed a mass in the thoracic cavity and mediastinum which was diagnosed as lipoblastoma after pathologic examination of the resected mass. Lipoblastoma has been considered as a tumor of soft tissue, but it should also be considered as a rare cause of intrathoracic masses of young children.