Giant Retroperitoneal Lipoma in Children

Abstract

Giant retroperitoneal lipoma is an unusual and benign tumor in children. Characteristically, afflicted patients are seen with only an abdominal mass and thus enter into the diagnostic mix of intra-abdominal tumors of childhood. Two recent patients treated at our institution represent the 13th and 14th reported cases of retroperitoneal lipoma in children and demonstrate that there are distinct diagnostic criteria for the lesion which, if appreciated, obviate the need for a prolonged and detailed investigation. CASE REPORTS Case 1 The mother of a 4-year-old girl reported that an abdominal bulge had been present in her child since she was a toddler. The mass was firm, immobile, and mainly in the left lower abdomen but extending past the midline.