First Reported Case of Giant Lipoma in a Child Involving Both Triangles of Neck.

Aim: Pediatric lipomas of the head and neck are rare to find and generally seen as isolated case reports. Here, we report an extremely rare type of giant childhood neck lipoma. Background: Lipomas are a group of benign tumors formed due to abnormal and excessive proliferation of adipose tissue. They are most common in the age-group of 40-60 years. They are rare in the pediatric age-group and rarely occur under the age of 10 years. Case description: A 100 mm × 80 mm × 80 mm, 1011-gm lipoma involving both anterior and posterior triangles of neck with attachments to mastoid process, medial and lateral pterygoids (base of skull), platysma, substance of submandibular gland, pretracheal fascia, and branches of external carotid (posterior auricular artery, occipital artery, and ascending pharyngeal artery) was removed from neck of an 8-year-old pediatric patient. Posterior auricular, occipital, and ascending pharyngeal arteries had taken an aberrant route because of the huge mass, and the ascending pharyngeal artery was forming its inferior boundary. The nasopharynx and the entire viscera of the neck were pushed to one side. The mass was adherent to the submandibular gland and in close relation with the lingual nerve. Conclusion: This is the first case report of giant lipoma of the neck in a pediatric patient which involved both anterior and posterior triangles. This is the largest neck lipoma reported to date in a child. Clinical significance: Excision of a large neck lipoma should be planned after imaging studies and in a fully equipped operation theater preferably in general anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]