Symptomatic retropharyngeal space lipoma. A patient with Madelung disease.

Background Retropharyngeal space lipomas (RSL) are rare benign tumors of the head and neck region. They can, sporadically, occur as part of syndromic lipomatosis, such as Madelung disease. Symptoms are caused due to increasing pressure on surrounding structures. Description of case: We present a 64-year-old male patient with symptomatic RSL and symmetric lipomatosis, who was treated surgically. Conclusion RSL can grow to a large size before becoming symptomatic. Their diagnosis and treatment can be challenging due to their anatomical site, diverse symptomatology, and diffuse growth pattern. Imaging is necessary for diagnosis. In the vast majority of cases, RSLs are treated surgically with a favorable outcome. HIPPOKRATIA 2020, 24(2): 91-93.