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. 2023 Feb 16;15(2):e35063.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.35063. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Neuroimaging Spectrum of Intracranial Lipomas

Tushar Kalekar  1 , Suhas M  1 , Latha P Reddy  1 , Aparna S Prabhu  1 , Purnachandra Lamghare  1
Affiliations

Neuroimaging Spectrum of Intracranial Lipomas

Tushar Kalekar et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background: Intracranial lipomas are rare congenital malformations at characteristic sites. Though largely asymptomatic, some cause significant morbidity. We are studying this for the local population. Objectives: The purpose of this article is to analyze the spectrum of intracranial lipomas, determine their distribution at characteristic locations, and assess their associations. Method: A retrospective study of 21 patients diagnosed with intracranial lipomas detected on CT and MRI performed between September 2017 and May 2022 at Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Center, Pune.

Results: Amongst the 21 patients with intracranial lipomas, the most common location was the pericallosal region seen in 11 patients (n = 11, 52.3%), of which nine were curvilinear type (n = 9), more common than tubular nodular type (n = 2). Other locations (n = 10, 47.7%) were found to be; quadrigeminal cistern in six patients (28.5%), cranial diploic space in two patients (9.5%), one each in interhemispheric falx (4.8%), and cribriform plate (4.8%). Associated anomalies were observed in three patients, which were fronto-ethmoidal encephalocele (n = 1), partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (n = 2), extension with a frontal subcutaneous lipoma (n = 1), and bilateral intraventricular extension (n = 1). Presenting symptoms were headache and dizziness (38.1%), seizures (19%), swelling on the forehead (9.5%), and other non-specific clinical symptoms (33.3%).

Conclusion: Intracranial lipomas are rare congenital lesions that are usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. However, lipomas at interhemispheric locations can cause seizure disorders and some present with headaches and dizziness. Few have associations like communication with extracranial swellings and corpus callosum agenesis.

Keywords: ct; intracranial lipomas and associations; mri; neurological symptoms; neuroradiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Case gallery
Case 1: Corpus callosum tubulonodular lipoma with partial agenesis of corpus callosum (yellow arrow) and connection (blue arrow) with a frontal lipoma (A,B,C). White matter tracts passing through lipoma (black arrow) are seen on tractography (D).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Image gallery
Case 2: Tubulonodular lipoma with partial agenesis of corpus callosum (yellow arrow) (A) with intraventricular extension (black arrow) (B).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Case gallery
Case 3: Frontal meningoencephalocele (red arrow), curvilinear lipoma along posterior aspect of corpus callosum (yellow arrow), focal frontal cystic encephalomalacia (blue arrow) seen on MRI (A) and CT (B). Case 4: Lipoma along the entire extent of the corpus callosum(C). (Yellow arrows depict lipomas in all images)
Figure 4
Figure 4. Case gallery
Case 5: Lipoma in right parietal space (A). Case 6: Falx lipoma (B). Case 7: Quadrigeminal lipoma (C). (Yellow arrows depict lipomas in all images).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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