Extract
Macrodystrophia lipomatosa is a rare form of congenital localized gigantism
that is characterized by slowly progressive overgrowth of the mesenchymal
elements, especially the fibroadipose tissue, in a
limb1-3.
The abnormal tissue is often found along the median nerve in the hand and the
plantar nerves in the
foot4,5.
No causal link between hamartoma of a nerve and soft-tissue enlargement has
been established, and evidence of nerve involvement is controversial.We report on two cases of macrodystrophia lipomatosa that caused
progressive proximal enlargement along the posterior aspect of the left lower
limb in one patient and along the anterior portion of the left upper limb in
another. Our search of the literature revealed only one other previously
reported case of such progressive enlargement, which was in a purely preaxial
distribution6. Both
of our patients were informed that information regarding their cases would be
submitted for publication.