Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy Associated with Multiple Symmetrical Lipomatosis(Madelung's Disease) / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Multiple symmetrical lipomatosis (MSL) is a rare disorder characterized by the presence of multiple, symmetric, unencapsulated fat masses in the face, neck, and other areas. Typically, this entity has been related to the presence of three anterior bulges in the neck. MSL is usually described in adults from 30 to 60 years old, with an incidence of about 1 in 25,000 and a male-to-female ratio of 15 1 to 30 1. More than 90% of the patients have associated alcoholism. The etiology of MSL remains unknown, but an abnormal lipogenesis induced by catecholamines has been observed. The accumulation of fat prevents accurate clinical assessment of the neck and obscures other underlying abnormalities. In the current report, the authors described one case of MSL associated with bilateral vocal cord palsy and reviewed the associated literature.