Atypical Deep-Seated Lipomatous Tumors of the Shoulder: A Case Series

Lipomas are common subcutaneous tumors composed of adipose tissue, often encapsulated by a thin layer of fibrous tissue.They typically do not cause symptoms or problems but in some cases they can result in pain or functional limitations.In these cases, surgical removal should be considered but it is important to evaluate the adjacent vascular and nerve structure.The purpose of this study is to report the surgical treatment and the outcomes of surgical procedure on symptomatic lipomas.We present the cases of ten patients who were treated for shoulder lipomas.The most common symptoms were pain and shoulder functional limitation.The definitive diagnostic test was MRI.All patients underwent surgical excision of the tumors.In three cases the external compression of the nervous structures caused paralysis of the involved structures.At the end of follow up all patients experienced complete healing and full recovery of shoulder mobility.In our experience, sensory-motor deficits related to nerve structure compression have always resolved within a few months.