Dendritic fibromyxolipoma is a rare and distinctive soft tissue neoplasm that is considered by many authors as a variant of spindle cell lipoma and characterized by the presence of dendritic cytoplasmic processes, plexiform vascular pattern, and keloidal collagen. It has never been reported in the larynx and hypopharynx. Its rarity and the potential to mistake it as a more clinically aggressive myxoid soft tissue neoplasm highlight the importance of its recognition. Here, a case of a dendritic fibromyxolipoma of the pyriform sinus in a 38-year-old male who presented with dysphagia, change of voice, and stridor is reported. A review of the literature, including histopathologic features and differential diagnosis, is also included.
Lipomas are the most common soft tissue tumors in adults. Spindle cell lipoma (SCL) is an uncommon variant that has a characteristic clinical setting. It usually presents as a mass in the posterior neck and shoulder region of men between the ages of 40 and 50. It has also been described in many other locations. About 7 cases have been reported in the larynx and hypopharynx. Dendritic fibromyxolipoma (DFML) is a rare and distinctive tumor that is considered by many as a variant of spindle cell lipoma characterized by extensive myxoid change and the presence of stellate cells with dendritic processes. A total of 21 cases have been reported, none of which are in the larynx and hypopharynx. Here, we describe a case of dendritic fibromyxolipoma of the pyriform sinus, with review of the literature.
A 38-year-old male who is known to be a heavy smoker for 10 years presented with progressive dysphagia for one year, associated with change of voice, stridor, and sleep disturbance in the last three months. He has no past history of trauma or surgery in the head and neck and no family history of cancer. Laryngoscopic examination showed a large oval mass originating from the left pyriform sinus and causing narrowing of both the hypopharynx and larynx. The clinical impression was that of a retention cyst.
Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the head and neck was performed. It confirmed the presence of the mass in the hypopharynx, measuring 3.4 × 3.4 × 2.8 cm. It was well-defined, hypodense, mostly homogenous, and nonenhancing, with a very focal area of contrast enhancement (Figure
Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the neck. A well circumscribed, focally enhancing mass is noted in the left pyriform sinus (arrow).
A microlaryngoscopy with debulking of the mass by CO2 laser was performed. Gross examination revealed multiple pieces of soft yellow-tan and glistening tissue measuring 7.5 × 6.5 × 0.5 cm in aggregate (Figure
Gross appearance of the specimen.
On microscopic examination, the pieces are composed of a hypocellular spindle cell neoplasm with abundant myxoid background and plexiform blood vessels (Figure
(A) Hematoxylin and eosin- (H&E-) stained sections showed a hypocellular neoplasm with myxoid background, ropy collagen bundles, and plexiform blood vessels (100x). (B) Mature adipocytes with scattered bland spindle cells (400x).
(A) H&E-stained section showed the dendritic cytoplasmic processes of the spindle cells (arrow) (600x). (B) Immunohistochemistry for CD34 also highlights the dendritic cytoplasmic processes.
DFML has been initially described by Suster et al. in 1998 in a 12-case series report [
Clinical findings of all reported cases of DFML.
Number | Author | Year | Age | Sex | Location | Size (cm) | Follow-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Suster [ | 1998 | 33 | M | Left posterior shoulder, acromion region | 11 | NA |
2 | 54 | M | Right posterior neck | 5 | NA | ||
3 | 58 | M | Right shoulder | 7.5 | 7 years, NRM | ||
4 | 63 | M | Upper back | 6 | NA | ||
5 | 66 | M | Back of neck | 8 | NA | ||
6 | 66 | M | Posterior axillary fold | 9 | NA | ||
7 | 70 | M | Right nasal area | 2 | 11 years, NRM | ||
8 | 73 | M | Right posterior neck | 7 | 13 years, NRM | ||
9 | 77 | M | Back of neck | 3 | 5 years, NRM | ||
10 | 79 | M | Right chest wall | 3.5 | Died of metastatic lung cancer | ||
11 | 81 | M | Left chest wall | 3.5 | 5 years, NRM | ||
12 | 50 | F | Right upper back | 6 | NA | ||
13 | Karim [ | 2003 | 73 | M | Right shoulder, between infraspinatus and deltoid muscles | 13 | 8 months, NRM |
14 | Maskery [ | 2011 | 36 | F | Lower lip | 2 | 2 years, NRM |
15 | Dahlin [ | 2012 | 65 | F | Left forearm, adherent to median nerve | 3.2 | NA |
16 | Zhang [ | 2013 | 32 | F | Right inguinal and perineum region | 24 | 9 months, NRM |
17 | Wong [ | 2014 | 67 | M | Left shoulder | 7 | 4 months, NRM |
18 | Han [ | 2014 | 69 | M | Nasal tip | 1 | NA |
19 | Xu [ | 2015 | 24 | M | Left shoulder, triceps brachii (intramuscular) | 14 | 4 years, NRM |
20 | Liu [ | 2015 | 53 | M | Right back, latissimus dorsi (intramuscular) | 2 | 1 year, NRM |
21 | Cilogu [ | 2016 | 59 | F | Left inguinal region | 17 | 3 years, NRM |
M, male; F, female; NA, information not available; NRM, no recurrence or metastasis.
Microscopically, it is composed of bland-appearing spindle cells with abundant myxoid background, prominent anastomosing blood vessels, areas of ropy collagen deposition, and prominent mast cells. The cells have oval nuclei and contain multiple dendritic cytoplasmic processes that are best highlighted by immunohistochemistry for CD34 and vimentin. CD99 positivity has been reported in a case [
There are two opinions regarding the nature of this lesion. The first is that it represents a peculiar variant of spindle cell lipoma with extensive myxoid change. Evidence supporting this claim includes the similarity of clinical characteristics including age, gender, and location, similar morphologic features, and immunophenotype with identical clinical outcome. Wong et al. [
The other view is that it represents a tumor with combined features of SCL and solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) or an intermediate form between these two entities [
DFML can be confused with other more clinically aggressive neoplasms, including myxoid liposarcoma (MLS), low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LFMS), and myxofibrosarcoma, especially the low-grade type, highlighting the importance of its recognition. MLS typically develops in the deep soft tissues of lower extremities. It shares many features with DFML including plexiform vascular pattern and abundant myxoid matrix. However, the lack of lipoblasts and atypical cells, negativity for S-100 and positivity for CD34, differentiates it from DFML. In addition, about 95% of cases of MLS harbor a recurrent translocation involving DDIT3 gene at chromosome 12 [
Follow-up data on all available reported cases showed no recurrence or metastases, with periods ranging from 4 months to 13 years.
In conclusion, DFML is a rare tumor that shares many similarities with spindle cell lipoma. This study presents the first case reported in the hypopharynx. It is important to be aware of this lesion in order to not misdiagnose it as other clinically more aggressive neoplasms such as myxoid liposarcoma and low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. More studies including molecular testing for 13q deletion and NAB2-STAT6 fusion [
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.