Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis: Characteristics and Treatment in Korean Patients.

Cheon, Young Woo; Roh, Tae Suk; Kim, Yong Oock; Kwon, Ji Eun; Tark, Kwan Chul; Yoo, Won Min

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Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 2007;34(4):477-483.
Published online July 1, 2007.

Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis: Characteristics and Treatment in Korean Patients.

Young Woo Cheon, Tae Suk Roh, Yong Oock Kim, Ji Eun Kwon, Kwan Chul Tark, Won Min Yoo

¹Institute for Human Tissue Restoration & Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. wnmnyoo @yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
²Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
Multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL) is a relatively rare disorder characterized by presence of multiple, symmetric, nonencapsulated fat masses in face, neck, shoulder and other areas. There has been only a few cases reported in Korea. The main purpose of this research is to examine the Korean patients to see what kinds of special characteristics occurred due to this disease and to decide the proper treatment. METHODS: A total of 16 patients were evaluated retrospectively. 5 patients were treated at our hospital. The other patients were reviewed from literature. We analyzed the biological characters of patients, location of fat deposit, morphologic characters of patients, clinical evidence of neuropathy, associated metabolic disorders and treatment modality.
RESULTS
All cases were male patient. The mean age of onset was 47.43 years. All patients were moderate to heavy alcoholics. The most common location of fat deposition was posterior neck and abdomen. In neurologic exam of 9 patients, 5 patients showed muscle weakness, tremor, pain and autonomic nerve dysfunction. In metabolic studies of 9 patients, total cholesterol values were higher in 1 patient. A glucose tolerance test was abnormal in 1 patient. In treatment modality, 14 patients were treated with surgical resection, 1 patient was treated with liposuction and surgical excision, 1 patient was treated only with liposuction.
CONCLUSION
To treat MSL patients successfully, we should concentrate not only on the removal of the fatty tissue but also on neurologic abnormities, metabolic disorders and associated diseases.

Keywords: Multiple symmetric lipomatosis

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