CASE REPORTS   

Chirurgia 2013 February;26(1):13-5

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Lipomas in cameramen: an occupational disease?

Pagliari A. ¹, Caviggioli F. ², Forcellini D. ³, Maione L. ³, Lisa A. ³, Giaccone M. ³, Klinger F. ²

¹ ENT Unit, Crema Hospital, Crema, Cremona, Italy; ² Operative Unit of Plastic Surgery, University of Milan Humanitas Institute, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; ³ Operative Unit of Plastic Surgery, University of Milan, MultiMedia Holding S.p.A., Sesto San Giovanni, Milan, Italy

Lipoma represents the most common benign soft tissue neoplasm in human. Clinically lipomas may become symptomatic due to tumour growth and subsequent nerve irritation by mechanical pressure. Acute and chronic trauma were proposed in the development of lipoma. A prolungated pressure may be the responsible for lipoma development in workers as coppersmiths and wine porters. Between 2007 and 2009, two cases of cameramen came to our attention complaining for a round or discoid mass with soft consistency on their right shoulder and scapular area. Excision and primary closure was performed under local anesthesia in one case while in the other one general anesthesia was needed. All specimens were evaluated histologically by pathologist and were reported as pseudolipomas. Trauma is one of the most implicated etiologic factors in lipoma formation although its pathogenesis is still unknown. The precise pathogenesis of lipoma formation is still unknown; however it is resonable to suppose that local inflammation may induce adipocyte proliferation. Recently a case report described the onset of pseudogynecomastia, a subcutaneous fat deposition in breast tissue, after continuous vibration and pressure under axilla and at lateral site of the chest wall in metal pressing factory workers. Lipoma could be considered an occupational disease in cameramen and adequate prevention could be performed to avoid lipoma formation.