Launois-Bensaude's syndrome: Our experience in five cases

Launois-Bensaude's benign adenolipomatosis is an infrequent, though not exceptional disease. Its characteristics are a symmetrical storage of lipomatous tissue expecially in the cervical area and with decreasing frequency in abdominal, lumbar and scrotal areas. Etiology is unknown. Pathogenesis is probably linked to a fatty localized response to catecholamines lipolytic action. Five cases treated between 1986 and 1991 are here analyzed. Clinic, disease evolution and tactical surgical attitude are described. Association with alcoholic hepatopathy, diabetes or other endocrine disorders, hyperuricaemia, hyperlipidaemia, peripheral neuropathy is appraised. Besides, histological picture, fat composition and enzymatic pattern of lipomatous tissue compared to normal subcutaneous tissue are explained. Therapeutic possibilities and personal surgical choices in relation to adenolipomatous tissue features and involved areas are discussed.