Giant lipoma of the left mesocolon: Radiological and surgical aspects

Abstract

Highlights Epidemiology: Lipoma of the mesocolon is a rare tumour less described in the literature. Diagnosis: It generally involves large masses. Clinically, it is often asymptomatic. When they exist, these symptoms are less specific and generally due to the large size of the tumour (compression, invagination, hernia). Imaging, especially TDM and MRI are an important step of the preoperative diagnosis. In imaging as in anatomopathology, lipoma-like liposarcoma is the main differential diagnosis. A differential diagnosis with lipoma-like sarcoma must be done. Treatment: Treatment is surgical. However, there are variations in the surgical procedures. Some authors had carried out lumpectomy. In our case, we carried out a left colectomy removing the tumour and the mesocolon, as well as the satellite lymph nodes. Each approach has its arguments, i.e. a conserving treatment exposing to repetition if the histological and/or immunochemistry data come out less reassuring, and a more secure and less invasive treatment. There is no consensus on the procedure which depends on the teams.