Large hibernoma of the neck: A case report

Introduction. A hibernoma is a rare benign tumor derived from vestigial remnants of brown adipose tissue. In neonates this tissue makes up about 5% of the body mass and its amount greatly decreases after birth, persisting only in scattered subcutaneous areas. In rare cases, brown fat continues to gr...

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Main Authors: Mikić Anton, Folić Miljan, Boričić Ivan, Arsović Nenad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, Belgrade 2019-01-01
Series:Vojnosanitetski Pregled
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Online Access:http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2019/0042-84501700077M.pdf
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author Mikić Anton
Folić Miljan
Boričić Ivan
Arsović Nenad
author_facet Mikić Anton
Folić Miljan
Boričić Ivan
Arsović Nenad
author_sort Mikić Anton
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. A hibernoma is a rare benign tumor derived from vestigial remnants of brown adipose tissue. In neonates this tissue makes up about 5% of the body mass and its amount greatly decreases after birth, persisting only in scattered subcutaneous areas. In rare cases, brown fat continues to grow leading to a hibernoma that may be located in the head and neck. We present an illustrative case of a large hibernoma of the neck with infraclavicular extension and discuss about diagnostic and treatment difficulties. Case report. A 29-year-old male presented with large, slowly progressive, painless neck mass that was noticed 6 months earlier. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) showed a well-vascularized, soft tissue tumor of the lateral region of the neck and supraclavicular fossa with extension below clavicle. Treatment included arterial embolization followed by challenging surgical removal of the tumor. Dissection was performed at III, IV and V levels of the neck, making complete resection possible without the tumor fragmentation or major blood vessels and cranial nerves injuries. The final diagnosis of the hibernoma was made by histopathological analysis. The patient had no signs of recurrence during three-year follow-up. Conclusion. Although the CT scan and MR may raise the suspicion, hibernoma is definitely diagnosed by a pathologist. It is very important to exclude the malignant processes, foremost liposarcoma. The tumor fragmentation during surgery should be avoided because the high vascularity of the tumor tissue carries a substantial risk for hemorrhage. Our experience with preoperative embolization and complete tumor resection in this case showed positive impact on the final outcome.
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spelling doaj-art-21dc620eee194fe99b6f9f84abede1582025-08-20T02:04:06ZengMinistry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, BelgradeVojnosanitetski Pregled0042-84502406-07202019-01-0176334134410.2298/VSP170210077M0042-84501700077MLarge hibernoma of the neck: A case reportMikić Anton0Folić Miljan1Boričić Ivan2Arsović Nenad3Clinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Belgrade + Faculty of Medicine, BelgradeClinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Belgrade + Faculty of Medicine, BelgradeFaculty of Medicine, Belgrade + Clinical Center of Serbia, Insitute of Pathology, BelgradeClinical Center of Serbia, Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Belgrade + Faculty of Medicine, BelgradeIntroduction. A hibernoma is a rare benign tumor derived from vestigial remnants of brown adipose tissue. In neonates this tissue makes up about 5% of the body mass and its amount greatly decreases after birth, persisting only in scattered subcutaneous areas. In rare cases, brown fat continues to grow leading to a hibernoma that may be located in the head and neck. We present an illustrative case of a large hibernoma of the neck with infraclavicular extension and discuss about diagnostic and treatment difficulties. Case report. A 29-year-old male presented with large, slowly progressive, painless neck mass that was noticed 6 months earlier. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) showed a well-vascularized, soft tissue tumor of the lateral region of the neck and supraclavicular fossa with extension below clavicle. Treatment included arterial embolization followed by challenging surgical removal of the tumor. Dissection was performed at III, IV and V levels of the neck, making complete resection possible without the tumor fragmentation or major blood vessels and cranial nerves injuries. The final diagnosis of the hibernoma was made by histopathological analysis. The patient had no signs of recurrence during three-year follow-up. Conclusion. Although the CT scan and MR may raise the suspicion, hibernoma is definitely diagnosed by a pathologist. It is very important to exclude the malignant processes, foremost liposarcoma. The tumor fragmentation during surgery should be avoided because the high vascularity of the tumor tissue carries a substantial risk for hemorrhage. Our experience with preoperative embolization and complete tumor resection in this case showed positive impact on the final outcome.http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2019/0042-84501700077M.pdfdiagnosis, differentialembolization, therapeutichead and neck neoplasmslipomamaleotorhinolaryngologic surgical procedurestomography, x-ray computed
spellingShingle Mikić Anton
Folić Miljan
Boričić Ivan
Arsović Nenad
Large hibernoma of the neck: A case report
Vojnosanitetski Pregled
diagnosis, differential
embolization, therapeutic
head and neck neoplasms
lipoma
male
otorhinolaryngologic surgical procedures
tomography, x-ray computed
title Large hibernoma of the neck: A case report
title_full Large hibernoma of the neck: A case report
title_fullStr Large hibernoma of the neck: A case report
title_full_unstemmed Large hibernoma of the neck: A case report
title_short Large hibernoma of the neck: A case report
title_sort large hibernoma of the neck a case report
topic diagnosis, differential
embolization, therapeutic
head and neck neoplasms
lipoma
male
otorhinolaryngologic surgical procedures
tomography, x-ray computed
url http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2019/0042-84501700077M.pdf
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AT folicmiljan largehibernomaoftheneckacasereport
AT boricicivan largehibernomaoftheneckacasereport
AT arsovicnenad largehibernomaoftheneckacasereport