A case of symmetric lipomatosis of the tongue

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Vol. 50; no. 5; pp. 297 - 300
• Main Authors: TAKAHASHI, Yuzo, SAKAMOTO, Ichiro, SATO, Yuho, TAKAHASHI, Etsuko, OKADA, Norihiko, OMURA, Ken
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 2004
• Subjects: lipomatosis; symmetric; tongue
• ISSN: 0021-5163; 2186-1579
• DOI: 10.5794/jjoms.50.297

Symmetric lipomatosis is characterized by symmetric, tumor-like lipomatous proliferation of adipose tissue. This lesion usually develops in the head, neck, shoulders, and upper trunk; however, it is rarely recognized in the oral region. We report a case of symmetric lipomatosis of the tongue (SLT). The patient was a 67-year-old man. He was not obese. Symmetrical and diffuse swelling was bilaterally recognized at the border of the tongue. The tongue showed macroglossia. Tongue biopsy was performed on the right-side swelling. The diagnosis was lipomatosis. No any other surgical procedure was done because of the patient's general condition and lack of dysfunction of the tongue. The lesion showed no tendency to enlarge during 9 months after biopsy. Although the etiology of SLT remains unknown, this condition is thought to be associated with alcoholism, liver disorder, hyperlipidemia, and androgenic hormones. This patient had a history of alcoholism, hepatitis C, hepatocellular carcinoma, and an elevated serum triglyceride level. SLT in this patient was suggested to be associated with these metabolic disorders.