[An evaluation of eight cases of intraosseous lipoma]

Abstract

Objectives: We retrospectively evaluated patients with intraosseous lipoma.

Methods: The study included eight patients (5 males, 3 females; mean age 39 years; range 23 to 60 years) who were treated between 1997 and 2005 for intraosseous lipoma. Localizations of the lipomas were the calcaneus in six patients, proximal humerus in one patient, and proximal femur in one patient. The presenting complaints were heel pain in patients with calcaneal involvement, and shoulder pain associated with proximal humeral involvement. In one patient, detection of intraosseous lipoma in the left proximal femur was incidental during examination for right hip pain. According to the Milgram classification, five of the intraosseous lipomas were stage 1, while two calcaneal lesions and one femoral lesion were stage 2. Treatment consisted of excisional biopsy, curettage, and allografting under regional or general anesthesia. The diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically in all cases. The mean follow-up period was 28 months (range 9 to 110 months).

Results: Complaints of heel pain and shoulder pain resolved within four and five months, respectively. No infection or skin necrosis occurred at the wound site. No neurovascular complications developed during or after surgery. Radiological consolidation of the implanted bone allografts were complete by a mean of three months (range 2 to 4 months). No pathological fractures or recurrences were encountered.

Conclusion: Treatment of intraosseous lipomas with curettage and grafting is effective in relieving pain and preventing possible pathological fractures.