Intraneural lipoma of the median nerve: a case report

Intraneural lipomas and lipofibromas (also called lipofibromatous hamartomas) are rare, benign tumours occurring in peripheral nerves in the forearm and wrist. They usually present as asymptomatic masses, but if they are large enough, they may cause symptoms of compression neuropathy. Intraneural lipomas and lipofibromas differ with regard to anatomy and clinical behaviour: the former tumour has a well-defined capsule and most commonly occurs within the median nerve in the forearm and wrist. It is diagnosed in the fourth and fifth decades of life and seen more frequently in women. The latter (lipofibroma) has no capsule, is infiltrative in nature, is composed of fatty and fibrous tissue and also most commonly seen in the median nerve. It occurs in a younger age group with no sexual predominance. Due to these differences, these lesions are managed differently 1 2.