[Multiple symmetrical lipomatosis. Metabolic effects of excision of lipomatous tissue]

Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis (MSL) is a syndrome characterized by the occurrence of symmetric lipomas over various regions of the body. No clear etiology has been recognized while a frequent association with systemic metabolic abnormalities has been described. The metabolic situation of a subject affected by MSL was assessed before and after surgical excision of lipomas. A condition of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was verified both before and after surgery by the performance of oral glucose tolerance test, glucagon test, and daily glucose profile. No significant differences were observed after the ablation of lipomatous masses with regard to glucose, IRI, IRCP and NEFA behaviour. We concluded that the resection of lipomas can not modify glucose tolerance in MSL and that lipomas can be considered as tissues metabolically independent from the rest of body fat.