[Multiple symmetrical lipomatosis and chronic alcoholism]

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL) is characterised by nonencapsulated localised lipomatous accumules (type I) or diffused (type II). There is a high incidence in Mediterranean males with high alcohol intake. The biochemical blood alterations described are similar to those related to alcoholism or chronic hepatopathy. The disease can be associated with demyelinating peripheric or autonomic neuropathy and in MSL type I with mediastinal findings of 5 patients suffering from MSL type I, comparing them with the cases in the literature and insisting on the participation of alcoholism (early onset, important amount, and long-term habit) in the etiology of MSL and its contribution to the developing of neuropathy and abnormalities of lipidic metabolism.