title: Multiple symmetrical lipomatosis: case report and literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the pathophysiology and various treatment methods of multiple symmetrical lipomatosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of multiple symmetrical lipomatosis in a middle-aged man. He presented to us with an extensive, disfiguring neck mass. Clinical examination and computed tomography suggested a lipomatous mass without compression of vital neck structures. The proximity of the lipomatous mass to the carotid sheaths attracted our interest. We performed surgical excision in this case, because of the deep infiltrative behaviour of the lipoma. The benefits and drawbacks of liposuction and surgical excision of extensive neck lipomatosis are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical excision and liposuction are complementary treatments in the management of multiple symmetrical lipomatosis. Patients should be aware of the limitations of both surgical options, and the risk of lipoma recurrence, before surgery. The decision on the mode of surgery relies upon the disease extent, the patient's expectations and the surgeon's experience.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia. kj_sia@yahoo.com
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Sia
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy; D008069:Lipomatosis, Multiple Symmetrical / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome