Mesenteric myolipoma

Abstract

The authors report on a case of benign myolipoma (synonym lipoleiomyoma) which was first described in 1991. The benign soft tissue tumor is composed of smooth muscle and adipose tissue and occurs sporadically in different locations. In the available literature cases were described retroperitoneal, spinal, orbital and subcutaneous and mostly have been discovered in females. Characteristically myolipomas are very large at diagnosis and reach diameters of 7 to 30 cm particularly in peritoneal or retroperitoneal localization. The sometimes enormous size leads to a displacing growth pattern which ultimately leads to the clinical symptoms. The patients often complain of nonspecific, mostly painless abdominal or thoracic pressure. Bordered by an intact capsule the tumors show no signs of malignancy and in the available literature there is no evidence of metastatic seeding. To the best of our knowledge the presented case is the first description of a diffuse mesenteric myolipoma in a male individual. In this article, we present the multidetector computed tomographic image characteristics, macroscopic appearance and histopathological findings.

Keywords: Multidetector computed tomography, Male individual, Small bowel, Peritoneum, Diffuse mesenteric myolipoma

Core tip: Benign myolipoma, first described in 1991, is a benign soft tissue tumor which is composed of smooth muscle and adipose tissue and occurs sporadically in different locations. Particularly in peritoneal or retroperitoneal localization myolipomas are very large at diagnosis. The authors report for the first time of a diffuse mesenterial myolipoma in a male individual. Radiographic image characteristics based on computed tomography and macro- and histopathologic findings are presented and discussed.