Hourglass thoracic lipoma of infancy: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

The authors present a case of lipoma in infancy. A 12-year-old boy was referred for an asymptomatic fast-growing thoracic tumor of 1-month evolution. A simple chest x-ray showed an intra- and extrathoracic mass of extrapleural localization. Ultrasound scan and computed tomography studies were performed, and the diagnosis of an hourglass lipoma was confirmed by a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Surgical excision of the tumor was performed and the pathological study reassessed the initial diagnosis of lipoma. The thoracic lipoma is a benign disease and has a good evolution after surgery.