Laryngeal Spindle Cell/Pleomorphic Lipoma: A Case Report. An in depth review of the adipocytic tumors

Publication date: Available online 7 February 2019

Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Author(s): Jason N. Burkes, Luisa Campos, Fayette C. Williams, Roderick Y. Kim

Abstract

Spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomas are a rare form of lipomatous tumors. They typically occur as a slow growing localized mass in the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the posterior neck, back and shoulders. This benign variant represents less than 1.5% of all lipomas and are relatively uncommon in the head and neck area. A manifestation in the larynx is even rarer. Unlike other anatomical locations, laryngeal lipomas can pose life-threatening symptoms secondary to acute obstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract. We report a case of a large spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma of the larynx associated with hoarseness, dysphagia, globus sensation and neck fullness. The tumor was successfully removed via anterior transcervical approach with infrahyoid myotomy. We review the literature concerning head and neck adipocytic tumors with spindle cells as well as discuss the difficulties in distinguishing spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomas from liposarcomas. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to be reported in the oral maxillofacial surgery literature.

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