Spindle Cell Lipoma Arising from the Supraglottis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

• Published in: Head & neck pathology (Totowa, N.J.) N.J.), 2021-12, Vol.15 (4), p.1299-1302
• Main Authors: Azar, Shaghauyegh S., Buen, Floyd, Chia, Jennifer J., Ma, Yue, Caron, Justin, Dry, Sarah, Bhuta, Sunita, Abemayor, Elliot
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Reports; Dentistry; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Otorhinolaryngology; Pathology
• ISSN: 1936-0568; 1936-055X; 1936-0568
• DOI: 10.1007/s12105-020-01259-4

Lipomas are common benign mesenchymal neoplasms. Although 13% of lipomas are found in the head and neck, only 0.6% have been reported in the larynx. Of all lipomas, the spindle cell variant is the least common. In the present study, we report a case of supraglottic spindle cell lipoma and review the literature of laryngeal spindle cell lipoma. A 35-year-old male presented with dysphagia and dyspnea and was found to have bilateral supraglottic lesions causing airway obstruction. The masses were resected endoscopically. Final pathology demonstrated mature adipocytes and spindle cells, with immunohistochemical patterns supportive of spindle cell lipoma. Spindle cell lipomas have rarely been reported in the upper airway. To our knowledge, this is the youngest patient reported to date. These lipomas are uncommon benign neoplasms and should be distinguished from aggressive mesenchymal neoplasms such as liposarcoma variants to guide appropriate conservative but curative therapy.