Lipoblastoma of infancy mimicking hemangioma of infancy

Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2005 Sep-Oct;7(5):326-30. doi: 10.1001/archfaci.7.5.326.

Abstract

Lipoblastomas are rare benign tumors of infancy that usually affect children younger than 3 years. Most lipoblastomas (70%) occur on the extremities. Lipoblastomas may mimic other infantile tumors, including hemangiomas, hibernomas, lipomas, and liposarcomas, and correct diagnosis is necessary to ensure appropriate treatment. Lipoblastomas fall under 2 discrete subtypes: well-circumscribed lipoblastomas and diffuse lipoblastomatosis. Both types present with firm, nontender masses of lobulated, well-circumscribed soft tissue. Histologically they can be highly vascularized with plexiform capillaries, often with an individual feeder artery to each lobule. Complete surgical removal is the recommended treatment. Only 2 cases of lipoblastomas of the cheek have been reported in the English-language literature. We present the case of a young child with a cheek lipoblastoma, emphasizing the importance of correct diagnosis and highlighting techniques used to provide suitable treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Facial Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Facial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Facial Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemangioma / diagnosis
  • Hemangioma / pathology*
  • Hemangioma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Adipose Tissue / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Adipose Tissue / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Adipose Tissue / surgery
  • Risk Assessment
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome