Hibernoma
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Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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| Hibernoma | |
|---|---|
| File:Hibernoma1.jpg | |
| Synonyms | |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Usually asymptomatic, may present as a painless mass |
| Complications | Rarely, compression of adjacent structures |
| Onset | Typically in adults |
| Duration | Indefinite |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Unknown |
| Risks | |
| Diagnosis | Histopathology, Imaging studies |
| Differential diagnosis | Liposarcoma, Lipoma, Myxoid liposarcoma |
| Prevention | None |
| Treatment | Surgical excision |
| Medication | None |
| Prognosis | Excellent with complete excision |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Deaths | N/A |
Hibernoma is a rare, benign tumor that originates from brown fat tissue. The name "hibernoma" is derived from the tumor's resemblance to the brown fat found in hibernating animals.
History[edit]
The first known case of hibernoma was reported by Merkel in 1906. Since then, fewer than 200 cases have been reported in the medical literature.
Pathology[edit]
Hibernomas are composed of brown fat cells, which are larger than white fat cells and contain more mitochondria. These cells are responsible for heat production in the body, a process known as thermogenesis.
Clinical Presentation[edit]
Patients with hibernoma often present with a slow-growing, painless mass. The most common locations for hibernomas are the thigh, shoulder, back, and neck.
Diagnosis[edit]
The diagnosis of hibernoma is typically made through a combination of imaging studies and biopsy. On imaging, hibernomas appear as well-defined, vascular masses. The definitive diagnosis is made by biopsy, which shows the characteristic brown fat cells.
Treatment[edit]
The treatment for hibernoma is surgical removal. Because hibernomas are benign, they do not spread to other parts of the body, and complete removal is usually curative.
Prognosis[edit]
The prognosis for patients with hibernoma is excellent. After surgical removal, the recurrence rate is very low.
See Also[edit]
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