Lipomas of the Digestive Tract: General Aspects and Imaging

Lipomas are the second most common benign, non-epithelial tumor of the gastrointestinal tract after leiomyoma. They can grow at all levels of digestive tract with a variable frequency. This involvement may be single or multiple in one or more segments. These lesions with a low development can rarely cause serious complications requiring prompt treatment. Therapeutic decision is guided by symptoms and tumor size. Conventional radiography with digestive opacification allows locating the tumor. On cross-sectional imaging, lipomas appear as homogeneous fatty tumors or rarely with internal fine septa. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging allow the final diagnosis of lipomas in its uncomplicated forms.