Multiple symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung&#8217;s disease) &#8212; case report and literature review

Adam Wiszniewski; Alfred Jerzy Meissner; Sławomir Huszcza; Radosław Bilski; Jerzy Ratajczak

doi:10.5603/chp.28975

Vol 6, No 2 (2004)

Aktualności

Published online: 2004-06-02

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Multiple symmetrical lipomatosis (Madelung’s disease) — case report and literature review

Adam Wiszniewski, Alfred Jerzy Meissner, Sławomir Huszcza, Radosław Bilski, Jerzy Ratajczak

DOI: 10.5603/chp.28975

Chirurgia Polska 2004;6(2):113-122.

Vol 6, No 2 (2004)

Aktualności

Published online: 2004-06-02

Abstract

Multiple Symmetrical Lipomatosis (MSL), known also as Madelung’s disease or Launois-Bensaude syndrome, is a sporadically occurring metabolic disease of unknown etiology, encountered mainly in middleaged, chronically alcohol-abusing males. Non-encapsulated fatty masses developing symmetrically in the region of the head, the neck, the shoulders, the arms, the back and the chest contribute to the characteristic pseudoathletic body appearance, often wrongly suggesting simple obesity. Apart from the appearance and aesthetic considerations, it is difficulties in swallowing and breathing as well as head and neck motion that constitute the main complaints deciding on the need for hospitalisation and treatment. Surgical debulking of fat masses or liposuction in the case of small lesions seem to be the only, though not fully effective, method of treatment in Madelung’s disease. The recurrence of the disease is, however, frequent, irrespective of the treatment applied. We believe that the diagnostics and treatment related problems encountered in Madelung’s disease presented here on the basis of the case we describe will contribute to better knowledge of the principles of management and clinical problems to be met in patients in this sporadically occurring and not yet fully recognised disease.