Open AccessDyspnoea and restrictive lung disease due to mediastinal and pleural lipomatosis in morbid obesity
Author(s) -
Lim Jen Yuh,
McAnulty Kim A.,
Chang Catherina L.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
respirology case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 2051-3380
DOI - 10.1002/rcr2.421
Subject(s) - medicine , lipomatosis , restrictive lung disease , asymptomatic , obesity hypoventilation syndrome , obesity , obstructive lung disease , hypoventilation , surgery , lung , radiology , respiratory system , pulmonary disease
Dyspnoea in obese patients can be multifactorial and complex. Mediastinal and pleural lipomatosis can be associated with obesity and is usually considered asymptomatic and benign. We report an obese 39‐year‐old man who presented with progressive dyspnoea, where in addition to obstructive sleep apnoea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome, was found to have massive mediastinal and pleural lipomatosis causing restrictive lung disease. Pleural lipomatosis are generally slow growing so conservative management is recommended. However, complications such as haemorrhage and compression of adjoining organs can occur in pleural lipomas, so surgical excision can be considered in some instances.