CLINICAL CASES   

Otorinolaringologia 2002 December;52(4):173-6

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Madelung’s disease treatment in a patient HIV positive. Clinical case

Abenavoli F. M., Corelli R., D’Erme G.

Reparto di Otorinolaringoiatria Ospedale San Pietro «Fatebenefratelli», Roma

Madelung’s disease is a rare pathology which is mainly observed in white males from the age of 25 to 60 years. It is clinically characterized by the appearance of deposits of adipose tissue located in the head, neck or shoulder areas. These adipose accumulations are secondary to an abnormal proliferation of brown adipose tissue which do not have their own capsules and tend to grow progressively. Although they seep in between the muscle structures and their surrounding viscera, they do not penetrate them. The etiopathogenesis remains unknown. In addition, the incidence of this pathology is frequent in patients affected by human immunodeficiency virus type I who undergo antiretroviral therapy. The case of a HIV positive patient submitted to surgery is presented and the different surgical options are discussed.