Giant posterior cervical lipoma: a case report and comprehensive review of the literature

Introduction: Giant cervical lipomas are rare benign tumors. Despite their benign nature, they may cause functional and esthetic impairment. We report a case of a giant posterior cervical lipoma measuring 22 × 17 cm on MRI, which was successfully treated with complete surgical excision. Case presentation: A 65-year-old woman presented with a progressively enlarging posterior cervical mass evolving over several years. Clinical examination revealed a large, well-circumscribed, painless mass with thinning of the overlying skin. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a homogeneous, encapsulated fatty lesion without suspicious features or invasion of deep structures, consistent with a giant cervical lipoma. Complete surgical excision was performed under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination confirmed a benign lipoma. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes. Conclusion: Giant cervical lipomas are uncommon lesions requiring careful radiological assessment to exclude malignancy. Complete surgical excision remains the treatment of choice and provides excellent outcomes with a low risk of recurrence.