Facial infiltrating lipomatosis, a rare cause of facial asymmetry to be known: Case report and literature review

• Published in: Annals of medicine and surgery 2022-01, Vol.73, p.103118, Article 103118
• Main Authors: Harouna, M. Siradji, Belgadir, Hasna, Fadoul, Achta, Aghrib, Fatiha, Merzem, Aicha, Amriss, Omar, Moussali, Nadia, Elbenna, Naima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report; Clinique; Facial asymmetry; Imaging; Infiltrating lipomatosis
• ISSN: 2049-0801; 2049-0801
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103118

Facial infiltrating lipomatosis is a rare lipomatous lesion, first described by Slavin in 1983. It is a benign pseudotumor pathology. It corresponds to a non-encapsulated collection of mature adipocytes infiltrating the local tissue and hyperplasia of underlying bone leading to a craniofacial deformity. Very few cases have been reported in the literature. We report the case of a 19-year-old female patient, who was consulted for a swelling of the right hemiface progressively evolving since birth. Physical examination revealed facial asymmetry. On palpation, the mass was soft, painless, not compressible, not pulsatile, not fluctuating. In view of the asymptomatic nature and slow progression of the lesion, a lipomatous tumour, namely lipoma, was suggested. CT scan image shows a hyperplastic subcutaneous fat on the right hemiface. On the right jugal and temporal areas, there is a subcutaneous formation of fatty density, poorly limited, with no detectable peripheral capsule. It merges with the adjacent fat. In the bone window, there was a hyperplasia of underlying bone. Facial lipomatosis infiltration of the face is a benign pseudotumor pathology. As a result, it can be confused with other disorders, in particular, hemifacial hyperplasia. Combination of physical and radiological findings can establish the diagnosis. Surgical treatment is done for cosmetic purposes. •Congenital infiltrating lipomatosis of face is a benign pseudotumour lesion responsible for hemifacial asymmetry.•Subcutaneous mass of fatty density and signal, not encapsulated without architectural anomaly.•Hypertrophy of bone structures in relation to the fatty mass.•Main concern is esthetic appearance.