Open Journal of Pathology, 2011, 1, 1-3
doi:10.4236/ojpathology.2011.11001 Published Online October 2011 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ojpathology)
Corticosteroid-Induced Multifocal and Extensive
Lipomatosis: A Case Report
Ilham Bouaddi1, Hanan Rkain1, Fadoua Allali1, Nazik Allali2, Najia Hajjaj-Hassouni1
1Department of Rheumatology B, El Ayachi Hospital, Rabat-Salé, Morocco; 2Department of Radiology, Avicenne Hospital, Rabat-Salé,
Morocco.
Received September 10th, 2011; revised October 12th, 2011; accepted October 23rd, 2011.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Corticostero id-induced lipoma tosis are uncommon situation. We report a case of an extensive lipomato-
sis in a rheumatoid arth ritis patient, who received a long term steroid therapy. Case report: A 49-year-old rheumatoid
arthritis woman, who received for two years a mean dose of 15 mg/ day of prednisone equivalent, was admitted to the
hospital for a six months history of progressive abdominal distension and dyspnea. Physical exam revealed typical
symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome and an important increase of abdominal volume. Lipomatosis diagnosis with mesen-
teric, mediastinal, retroperitoneal and epidural localizations, was rapidly confirmed by sonography and computed to-
mography (CT) exams. Management was based on corticosteroid reduction as well as use of hygiene and dietary meas-
ures. Therapeutic efficacy was noted on a clinical basis within one year. Discussion: lipomatosis occurs as a less
known complication of long-term steroid therapy. Its localizations are numerous. Epidura l and mediastinal lip omatosis
are more frequent than mesenteric or retroperitoneal ones. Most frequently asymptomatic, lipomatosis could sometimes
be revealed by false symptoms. Medical treatment including corticosteroid with drawal or reduction and calorie re-
striction, can lead to clinical improvement. Surgery is reseved in advanced forms with serious complications.
Keywords: Lipomatosis , Mesenteric, Retroperitoneal, Mediastinal, Epidural, Corticosteroids
1. Introduction
In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), oral corticosteroids are ef-
fective for the short term relief of symptoms. Their toxic-
ity requires that they are used only when necessary, at the
lowest dose possible and for the shortest duration of time.
Long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to several com-
plications. The Cushing’s syndrome is the best model
illustrating the adverse effects of corticosteroids. The
lipomatosis steroid-induced is less known and was recen-
tly described [1]. We report a case of extensive lipoma-
tosis in a rheumatoid arthritis patien t and discuss charac-
teristics of this pathology.
2. Case Report
A 49-year-old rheumatoid arthritis woman, who received
for two years a mean dose of 15 mg/day of prednisone
equivalent, was admitted to the hospital for a six months
history of progressive abdominal distension and dyspnea.
Physical exam revealed and overweight (Body mass in-
dex at 29), typical symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome and
an important increase of abdominal volume (Figure 1).
Biological exams showed no abnormalities. An ab-
dominopelvic and thoracic computed tomography (CT)
scan showed collections of fat with an attenuation of
–125 to –1 00 Hounsfield units. This d eposition of adipo -
se tissue was in mesenteric, mediastinal, retroperitoneal
and epidural sites (Figures 2 and 3). Extensive and mul-
tifocal lipomatosis diagnosis was retained. Since patient
was not under Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
(DMAR- Ds), RA treatment was adjusted permitting to
reduce progressively the daily dose of corticosteroids.
Hygiene and dietary measures were also given to patient
who was overweight. Within one year, therapeutic effi-
cacy was noted on a clinical basis with 10 cm decrease of
the umbilical perimeter.
3. Discussion
Lipomatosis represents a diffuse overgrowth of mature
adipose tissue. It can be associated with obesity, steroid
ingestion, or Cushing’s syndr ome or ma y be idiopat hic [1].
Lipomatosis usually occurs for glucocorticoids dosages
above 0.5 mg/kg/day of prednisone equivalent [1-3]. The
duration of treatment and cumulative dose seem to be the

Current Distortion Evaluation in Traction 4Q Constant Switching Frequency Converters 2
Figure 1: Photographs of the patient showing clinical signs of Cushing syndrome and the increase of abdominal volume.
Figure 2. Abdominal CT scan showing mesenteric and
retroperitoneal lipomatosis.
more important determinants [3]. Our patient wasn’t fol-
lowed by a rheumatologist and therefore wasn’t under
DMARDS. The lack of adequate treatment of RA leads
her to chronic use of corti cost e roi d at hi g h dose.
Even if is not completely elucidated, glucocorticoid-
Figure 3. Chest CT scan showing mediastinal lipomatosis.
induced lipomatosis could be explained by the develop-
ment of fatty deposits in brown adipose tissue by the
reduction (secondary to steroid therapy) of the lipolytic
activity dependent receptor beta-3-adrenergic [1].
The localizations of lipomatosis are numerous. Epidu-
ral and mediastinal lipomatosis are more frequent than

Corticosteroid-Induced Multifocal and Extensive Lipomatosis: A Case Report 3
mesenteric or retroperitoneal ones. Lipomatosis is usu-
ally asymptomatic nevertheless; many nonspecific
symptoms could reveal this pathology [4,8-10]. In our
patient persistent dyspnea was the principal symptom.
Diagnosis of “Corticosteroid-induced multifocal and
extensive lipomatosis” in our case was retained by Com-
puterized tomography. This imaging and magnetic reso-
nance imaging are the principals tools to identify the dif-
ferents localizations of lipomatosis [1,5].
Treatment of lipomatosis is essentially medical. It is
based on the reduction or discontinuation of corticoste-
roid therapy if possible and the prescription of a hypo-
caloric diet, with restriction for four weeks of fast-acting
carbohydrate [6,7]. This treatment helps to reduce the
hyperinsulinemia and promotes lipolysis in adipose tis-
sue [6,7]. A more rational approach and concerted effort
should be applied in situations of corticosteroids use to
minimize their adverse effects and to evict a lipomatosis
complication. Our patient had a good evolution after diet
and progressive reducing of glucocorticoids thanks to
DMARDS onset. Surgery is required for complicated or
rapidly evolving forms [1]. The risks of surgery are im-
portant in these patients; it should be discussed taking
into account the clinical symptoms, the location and ex-
tent [2].
4. Conclusions
The lipomatosis steroid-induced is probably an underesti-
mated entity because of the prevalence of asymptomatic
forms. This diagnosis should be discussed in the context
of long-term corticosteroid. The scanner and MRI are the
key diagnostic tests, esp ecially in the early stages. Medi-
cal treatment is the first line treatment. Surgery is reser-
ved for complicated shapes.
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