Successful management of pleural lipoma by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Abstract

Pleural lipoma is an extremely rare clinical entity. Symptomatic pleural lipoma is rarer. We report a case of symptomatic pleural lipoma which was successfully managed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). A brief review of relevant literature has been included in the article.

Pleural lipoma presenting with back pain

“…surgical excision because it is challenging to distinguish pleural lipomas from well-differentiated liposarcomas. 3,6 In our case, the mass presented with pain. Therefore, surgery was administered.…”

Intrathoracic Pleural Lipomas

“…Lipomas are benign soft tissue tumors derived from mature adipocytes [1]. They may occur as a superficial (subcutaneous) or deep-seated [5].…”

“…Lipomas are benign soft tissue tumors arising from mature adipocytes. Although they can be seen almost anywhere in the body, their occurence in intrathoracic cavity in relation to the pleura is extremely rare [1]. Intrathoracic lipomas can originated from the mediastinum, diaphragm, bronchus, lung, or thoracic wall.…”

An incidental giant preperitoneal fibrolipoma diagnosed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

“…Although these tumors are frequently observed elsewhere on the body, they are rare in thoracic and abdominal cavity (i.e., small and large bowel) and in preperitoneal area (1)(2)(3)(4). Although many lipomas are <1 cm in diameter, they can grow up to >6 cm in diameter.…”

“…Masses with massive size can cause pressure on adjacent anatomical structures and result in symptoms. Some sources claim that malignant transformation may occur, whether others say that this has yet to be convincingly documented (1,2). Lipomas are classified into various subtypes according to histopathological features, including fibrolipoma, myxolipoma, chondroid lipoma, and myolipoma.…”