Surgical management of lipoblastoma.
OBJECTIVE
Lipoblastoma/lipoblastomatosis, a rare benign pediatric tumor composed of embryonic fat, most often presents as a rapidly growing mass in children younger than 3 years. This benign tumor locally recurs up to 25% of the time. This retrospective review was done to emphasize problems with diagnosis, management, and the approach to follow-up care.


METHODS
Sixteen cases of pathologically proven lipoblastoma presenting to a single institution over a 16-year period (1988-2004) were reviewed retrospectively for clinical features and outcome.


RESULTS
There were 11 males and 5 females ranging in age from 18 days to 12.75 years. Preoperative diagnoses were accurate in only 3 cases. Two lesions recurred locally over a period of 10 months and 5 years. One lesion presented with local infiltration. Six lesions were right-sided, 5 were left-sided, and 5 were midline.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to consider lipoblastoma in the diagnosis of a rapidly enlarging fatty mass in children. Complete resection is the only definitive treatment and should not be delayed when impingement on surrounding structures is imminent. There is a tendency for these lesions to recur despite presumed complete excision. Therefore, follow-up for a minimum of 5 years is recommended.
McVay
Marcene R
MR
Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591, USA.
Keller
Jennifer E
JE
Wagner
Charles W
CW
Jackson
Richard J
RJ
Smith
Samuel D
SD
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008067:Lipoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local