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Review
. 2022 Nov-Dec;88 Suppl 4(Suppl 4):S177-S187.
doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2022.04.002. Epub 2022 May 20.

Osteolipoma of head and neck - a review

Billy L K Wong  1 , Christopher Hogan  2
Affiliations
Review

Osteolipoma of head and neck - a review

Billy L K Wong et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Objective: Due to the rarity of osteolipoma, current knowledge and understanding of its' clinical presentation, management, radiological features, histological characteristics, and prognosis are lacking and can present a clinical conundrum to clinicians and histopathologist alike, given wide range of differential diagnoses. This paper aims to compile, analyse and present details to augment the available literature on osteolipoma in the head and neck.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search on PUBMED/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Science Citation Index, Google scholar and Cochrane database for osteolipoma in head and neck was performed up to the 1st May 2021. Reference lists from the relevant articles were then inspected and cross-referenced and any other pertinent publications were added to the review.

Results: A total of 38 cases were identified from the literature. The commonest sites of involvement within the head and neck region were the oral cavity in 21 (56.8%) patients, followed by the neck in 7 (19.0%) patients. 29 (78.4%) patients presented with soft tissue swelling or mass making it the most common presenting feature. All patients had the tumour excised surgically; of which 18 (48.6%) were excised via transoral approach and 6 (16.2%) via open transcervical approach including 1 lateral pharyngotomy. 12 papers documented long-term follow-ups (median 12 months) with no recurrence. Only 1 regrowth was reported after 5-years.

Conclusions: Osteolipoma is a rare soft tissue neoplasm which has a wide range differential diagnosis including malignant processes. Recognising this benign tumour through an awareness of presenting sign and symptoms, radiological features and histopathology findings is important for patient reassurance as well as avoiding unnecessary radical treatment.

Keywords: Head and neck; Histopathology; Osteolipoma; Radiology.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram of the literature search.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A clinical photograph on an osteolipoma of the hard palate in the oral cavity.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A coronal CT scan of the patient in Fig. 2 showing a hypodense mass (fat attenuation centrally) with peripheral hyperattenuation (calcification).
Figure 4
Figure 4
An axial MRI of another patient (histologically confirmed osteolipoma) showing a well circumscribed tumour with high signal intensity on T1.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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