Background: Lipoblastoma is an unusual rare, benign soft tissue tumor that usually affects infants and young children under there years old. It is developed from embryonic white adipose tissue. Lipoblastomas located in the midline can compress the airway and are difficult to distinguish from other midline neck cases. A 2-year-old girl with a lipoblastoma localized in the midline in the neck is reported to discuss the clinical features and differential diagnosis of lipoblastoma in children.
Case Presentation: A 2-year-old girl admitted to our department with a gradually enlarging, midline anterior neck mass, causing tracheal deviation and compression. Imaging studies including ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-circumscribed, fat-containing lesion located anterior to the trachea, measuring up to 62 mm. Preoperative bronchoscopy confirmed tracheomalacia and tracheal narrowing at the level of the mass. Surgical excision was performed under general anesthesia and en bloc excision of the mass confirmed lipoblastoma with focal involvement of surgical margins in histopathological analysis. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 2.
Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of including lipoblastoma in the differential diagnosis of pediatric anterior neck masses, especially when imaging suggests a fat-containing lesion with compressive features. Early surgical intervention is crucial to prevent airway obstruction, and close postoperative follow-up is recommended in cases with positive margins to monitor for recurrence.
Keywords: Lipoblastoma, pediatric neck mass, tracheal compression, airway management, soft tissue tumor, surgical excision
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