[Intracranial lipomas].
BACKGROUND
This paper reviews current literature about intracranial lipomas with emphasis on histogenesis, diagnosis and therapy.


METHODS
Intracranial lipoma is a congenital malformation. Epilepsy, mental dysfunctions and headache are the most common clinical manifestations, being a third of the asymptomatic cases; certain localizations cause specific symptomatology of the involved area. Associate anomalies are given in half of the lipomas, being the most frequent the agenesia of the corpus callosus. The diagnosis is not possible based on the clinical data, so it is necessary the practice of complementary exams in every suspected cases. The neuroimaging studies (TC or MRI) usually permit the diagnosis of this entity in an objective way and practically of certainty. It has been adduced a numberless histogenic theory on the lipomas, being accepted the lipoma like congenital malformation at the present time. The surgery is contraindicated, however still play a role in the management of some cases of hydrocephalus and bony affectation. The medical control of the epilepsy is forced.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of the neuroimaging techniques and the biggest compression in the histogenesis have increased the knowledge that one had of the intracranial lipomas, modifying their presage and giving up the aggressive surgery of last times.
Fandiño
J
J
Unidad de Neurocirugía, Hospital General de Lugo, Lugo, España. river-hita@terra.es
D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy