Lipoblastoma of the head and neck in children: a single-institution study

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign tumour, with a higher recurrence rate in the head and neck region owing to complex anatomy. The study summarizes the clinical features, surgical risks, and complications of paediatric lipoblastoma in various anatomical domains of the head and neck, aiming to improve diagnosis and management.

A retrospective review was conducted on children who were treated for lipoblastoma of the head and neck between 2016 and 2023. Data assessed included location, demographics, clinical presentation, imaging, treatment, complications, recurrence, and follow-up.

A total of 32 patients with lipoblastoma were retrospectively analyzed. These lipoblastomas located in the face (n = 2, 6.3%), nuchal region (n = 3, 9.4%), anterior neck (n = 6, 18.8%), lateral neck (n = 1, 3.1%), parapharyngeal region (n = 6, 18.8%), cervicomediastinal region (n = 4, 12.5%), and cervicoscapular-axillary region (n = 10, 31.3%). Complete resection was achieved in twenty-four cases. Residual lesions were confirmed in eight patients (25.0%). During a mean follow-up of 64.2 months, residual lesions regressed in two patients, remained stable in four, and progressed in two parapharyngeal cases that required secondary surgery via a transcervical approach. No recurrence was observed after complete resection.

A location-based approach aids in understanding surgical risk and prognosis in pediatric head and neck lipoblastoma. Given the benign nature and favorable outcomes, maximal safe resection with preservation of critical neurovascular structures is recommended. Complete excision may be technically challenging in deep head and neck spaces, and careful surgical planning is essential.