Rapidly progressive case of type I Madelung disease with bilateral parotid and minor salivary glands involvement

ABSTRACT

Context: Madelung disease has been literally classified as a rare disease, more common in Mediterranean population. It is characterized by the presence of multiple symmetrical, non-capsulated storages of adipose tissue.Case description: We present a 56 year old woman with a sudden unexplained progression of swelling in the neck and upper thorax region associated with severe dyspnea. She was admitted with angioedema in the Allergology Department. Radiology images identified a bilateral adipose degeneration of the parotid and minor salivary glands.Conclusions: The diefinitive diagnosis concluded was Type 1 Madelung Disease. The decision was to keep the patient under periodic observation and if any deterioration takes place, surgical intervention will be taken under consideration. Despite non previous findings of Madelung disease in our population this case presented a challenge of emergency diagnosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Madelung disease
• swelling
• Launois-Bensaude
• parotid glands
• adipose tissue

Acknowledgements

We thank the patient for her written permission. The approval of the local research ethics committee was obtained.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.