[Giant laterocervical lipoma in a 6-month-old infant: a case report]

Lipomas are mesenchymal neoplasms that affect the head and neck region in about 13% of cases. However, they are rarely reported in the pediatric population. We here report the case of a 6-month-old infant with no notable medical history, admitted for the management of a large left lateral cervical mass that had been progressing for 4 months. Ear, nose and throat (ENT) examination revealed a large left lateral cervical mass extending to the submental area, approximately 7cm in length, with no signs of compression. Cervical CT scan showed a fat-density mass, consistent with a lipoma. The patient underwent exploratory cervicotomy with excision of the mass. Histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma. The clinical outcome was favorable, with no recurrence after 15 months of follow-up. Although rare in the pediatric population, cervical lipomas should be considered in infants with a cervical swelling. Its clinical manifestation is similar to that of a cystic lymphangioma.