Dermal spindle cell lipoma: plexiform and nodular variants.

Abstract

We report on eleven cases of a distinctive dermal spindle cell lipoma characterized by a mixture of mature adipocytes and spindle-shaped cells in a fibromucinous background. Six lesions showed a moderately well circumscribed plexiform pattern, five a well demarcated nodular pattern with compression of surrounding connective tissue and prominent stromal fibrosis. Clinically, the plexiform type mostly occurred in the thigh-groin-buttock area and the nodular type in the head-neck or acral location. While plexiform lesions were predominantly seen in middle-aged females, nodular types occurred in young adults of either sex. No recurrence was seen in five patients with follow-up. The tumour cells were vimentin positive and a thin cytomplasmic rim of S-100 protein positivity was seen in mature adipocytes. Ultrastructural studies revealed lipoblastic differentiation of spindle-shaped cells with lipid droplets and basal lamina formation. Dermal spindle cell lipomas seem to be the dermal counterpart of the most subcutaneously located spindle cell lipoma.