Dyspnoea and restrictive lung disease due to mediastinal and pleural lipomatosis in morbid obesity

We report a case of large volume mediastinal and pleural lipomatosis causing significant dyspnoea in an obese individual. This is a rare complication of obesity and should be considered in obese patients when other causes of dyspnoea have been excluded. Dyspnoea in obese patients can be multifactorial and complex. Mediastinal and pleural lipomatosis can be associated with obesity and is usually considered asymptomatic and benign. We report an obese 39 ‐year‐old man who presented with progressive dyspnoea, where in addition to obstructive sleep apnoea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome, was found to have massive mediastinal and pleural lipomatosis causing restrictive lung disease. Pleural lipomatosis are generally slow growing so conservativ e management is recommended. However, complications such as haemorrhage and compression of adjoining organs can occur in pleural lipomas, so surgical excision can be considered in some instances.

Source: Respirology Case Reports - April 8, 2019 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Jen Yuh Lim, Kim A. McAnulty, Catherina L. Chang Tags: Case Report Source Type: research