Radiologic manifestations of pelvic lipomatosis

Ten male patients with pelvic lipomatosis are herein reported and the clinical and radiological features of the disease are reviewed. The main criteria for the preoperative diagnosis of pelvic lipomatosis include: a) radiolucency of the pelvic soft tissues with a normal to slightly increased vascularity on pelvic arteriography; b) deformity and anterior deviation of the urinary bladder together with various degrees of obstructive uropathy; and c) tubular narrowing of the rectum and upward displacement of the sigmoid colon and small intestine. The associated symptoms are usually variable degrees of dysuria, constipation, and frequently hypertension. Surgical excision of the pelvic lipomatous tissue is of limited value in the management of this disease.