title: Hibernoma: diagnostic and surgical considerations of a rare benign tumour.
abstract: Hibernoma is a rare, benign tumour of brown fat origin. Less than 250 cases have been reported in the literature. We present a case of a 19-year-old man referred to surgical oncology for evaluation of a large soft tissue mass near the apex of his right scapula. Complete surgical excision was performed, sparing the overlying latissimus dorsi musculature. Surgical pathology revealed findings were consistent with hibernoma, grossly showing a well-encapsulated fluctuant mass measuring 21.4×14.4×5.3 cm, and histologically composed of brown fat adipocytes. The mainstay of treatment is surgical excision of the mass. Primary goals of the operation include complete removal of the mass to prevent recurrence and sparing of adjacent structures as it is a benign, non-invasive tumour. We present a case of a large chest wall hibernoma in a young adult, diagnosed on final pathology after complete surgical excision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
authors.forename: Alissa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greenbaum
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
authors.forename: Brittany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coffman
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
authors.forename: Ashwani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajput
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D035441:Thoracic Wall; D055815:Young Adult