J Korean Soc Radiol.  2013 Sep;69(3):193-195. 10.3348/jksr.2013.69.3.193.

A Case of Symmetrical Lipomatosis of the Tongue and a Literature Review

• Kim BJ
• Lee EJ
• Yeo SH
• Chang HW
• Kim SH
• Sohn SI
• Lee SK

• KMID: 2208800
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2013.69.3.193

Abstract

Symmetrical lipomatosis of the tongue is an extremely rare condition. To date, few cases have been reported in the literature. Symmetrical lipomatosis remains controversial as to whether it is identical to benign symmetrical lipomatosis or not. We present an extremely rare case of symmetrical lipomatosis of the tongue in a 77-year-old male. We reviewed the literature and discussed the clinical characteristics as well as the role of imaging studies of this disease.

MeSH Terms

Aged
Humans
Lipomatosis
Lipomatosis, Multiple Symmetrical
Male
Tongue
Lipomatosis, Multiple Symmetrical

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Photograph and axial CT. A. A 77-year-old man with symmetrical enlarged tongue. B. Non-enhanced CT shows diffuse low densities of the tongue tissue (arrows). C. Contrast enhanced CT shows no evidence of definite contrast enhancement in the fatty tongue tissue (arrows).

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  Fig. 2 MRI of the tongue. A, B. T1 weighted image (T1WI) (A) and T2 weighted image (T2WI) (B) show the most of lingual muscles are replaced by the fatty tissue (arrows). C, D. Fat suppressed T1WI and T2WI show diffuse low signal intensity of the tongue (arrows).

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