Lipoplastic lymphadenopathy presenting as an ovarian mass: a case report

Lipoplastic lymphadenopathy is a pathological condition wherein accumulations of intranodal fat result in lymph node enlargement and may mimic abdominal, pelvic, and retroperitoneal neoplasms, particularly lymphomas. The pathology appears to be different from lipomatosis in that benign, mature adipocytes and lipids are located within lymph nodes, rather than deposited in body cavities. The case of a 49-year-old woman presenting as an ovarian neoplasm is presented as an example of the pathology and its ability to masquerade as other neoplasms. The etiology of lipoplastic lymphadenopathy is unclear although associated causes are suggested. The difficulties of radiological examination of this case and others makes open lymph node biopsy important for the final diagnosis.