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Fibrolipomas masquerading as abdominal hernias.
Hannah Isabella Watson1, Andrew John Saunders
1NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK.
BMJ Case Reports
|December 18, 2013
Summary
A rare fibrolipoma, a benign tumor of fat and fibrous tissue, was diagnosed in a 15-year-old girl presenting with abdominal masses. Surgical exploration ruled out herniation, confirming the benign nature of the findings.
Area of Science:
- General Surgery
- Pathology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- A 15-year-old girl presented with a tender, irreducible paraumbilical mass.
- Clinical examination revealed two palpable masses in the abdominal region.
Observation:
- Imaging studies including ultrasound and MRI were inconclusive for abdominal wall herniation.
- Surgical exploration was performed to rule out suspected herniation.
Findings:
- Three subcutaneous masses were discovered during surgery.
- Histopathology confirmed the masses were fibrolipomas, composed of mature adipose tissue and fibrous deposits.
- No evidence of malignancy or abdominal wall herniation was found.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering benign soft tissue tumors like fibrolipoma in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses.
- It underscores the limitations of imaging in definitively diagnosing certain superficial abdominal wall lesions.
- Surgical exploration remains crucial for accurate diagnosis and management when clinical suspicion is high.
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