Symptoms
The lipoma usually manifests itself as a bulging elastic, rubber-like and easily movable lump on the spine or on arms and legs. They are usually skin-colored and up to several centimeters in size. However, if they are allowed to grow for a long time, the nerves and blood vessels are compressed above a certain size. This in turn manifests itself in the form of numbness (paresthesia) and pressure pain.
Diagnostics
Since every new skin mass must be examined and clarified by a physician, a newly occurring lipoma should also be shown to a physician. The doctor can usually tell by looking and touching it whether it is a harmless lipoma, a cyst, a fibroma or something malignant. When palpating, the physician pays attention to the elasticity of the node, its movability and its consistency. An ultrasound scan can be performed as a safety measure, which can exclude cysts or malignant changes. If a malignant new formation (e.g. a liposarcoma) is suspected, a small tissue sample (biopsy) is first taken, which is then examined under a microscope, followed by an X-ray and a computer tomography.
Therapy
Most lipomas do not need to be removed per se. However, since lipomas of the spine, neck or flanks are often exposed to pressure from clothes or sleeping, they can be painful and put a strain on the affected person. In these cases, surgical removal of the lipoma is recommended.
This procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes only a few minutes. With the help of a scalpel, the surgeon makes a small incision through which the lipoma and capsule are pressed out. In the case of very large or multiple lipomas, the removal is performed under general anesthesia.
Subfascial or muscle-lying lipomas are also usually operated on under general anesthesia, as they require surgical exposure of the muscle before the lipoma can be removed. In most cases, this operation is also accompanied by a larger scar. As with any operation, complications such as postoperative bleeding, infections or wound healing disorders must be expected when removing a lipoma from the spine.
However, since the wound is usually very small and a long hospital stay is not necessary, these risks are negligible. Another possibility for the treatment of a lipoma is liposuction.This operation is usually performed under a special local anesthesia, which additionally causes a liquefaction of the fatty tissue. The surgeon then makes a small incision, through which a cannula is inserted, with which the now liquid fat of the lipoma can be sucked out.
The advantages of this treatment are its minimally large incisions, the resulting smaller and finer scars, and less postoperative pain. The decisive disadvantage of this method, however, is that the lipomas are not completely removed, which often leaves behind residual fat. These can then grow into a new lipoma.
For this reason, conventional surgical removal of the lipoma (by extirpation) is preferable to liposuction. Another possibility for the treatment of a lipoma is liposuction. This operation is usually performed under a special local anesthesia, which additionally causes a liquefaction of the fatty tissue.
The surgeon then makes a small incision, over which a cannula is inserted, with which the now liquid fat of the lipoma can be sucked out. The advantages of this treatment are its minimally large incisions, the resulting smaller and finer scars, and less postoperative pain. The decisive disadvantage of this method, however, is that the lipomas are not completely removed, which often leaves behind residual fat. These can then grow into a new lipoma. For this reason, conventional surgical removal of the lipoma (by extirpation) is preferable to liposuction.
