CT findings of the lipomas in the neck

Ordinary lipomas are the most common neoplasm of mesenchymal origin. About 13% of them arise in the head and neck region, especially in the posterior neck. More than 80% of lipomas are ordinary lipoma, and histologically they are composed of mature fat. CT scan provides a definite diagnosis of lipoma in virtually all cases due to their characteristic finding: a homogenous, well-defined low-attenuation mass that usually measures between -65 to -125 HU. The authors reviewed the clinical and CT characteristics of 14 cases of lipoma in the neck. The results were as follows: 1. A palpable neck mass was the most common symptom having a variable duration (months to years) 2. The age distribution of the patients was from 29 to 64 years, and the 6th decade was the most commonly affected. Men (12 cases) were more common than women (2 cases). 3. The most common location of the lipoma was the subcutaneous layer of the posterior neck. 4. Ten cases were ordinary lipoma, and CT scan showed a well-defined capsule in 8 of them. 5. Four cases were multiple symmetrical lipomatosis, and CT showed an irregular margin to the adjacent muscle without evidence of encapsulation suggesting a local infiltrating nature