Non surgical management for massive gastric lipomatosis

Background: Gastric lipomatosis (GL) is defined as a lipomatous lesion with diffuse infiltration of the submucosal layer by adipose tissue with multiple lesions and must be differentiated from gastrointestinal lipomas, which are solitary submucosal masses composed of well-differentiated adipose tissue surrounded by a fibrous capsule. GL are uncommon, represents 5 % of gastrointestinal tract lipomas and less than 1∼3 % of all gastric tumors.

Case presentation: A 65-year-old woman, who underwent non-operatively approach by Gastric lipomatosis. Non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms and endoscopic examination ruled out the possibility of mucosal ulceration or bleeding. Endoscopic ultrasonography and abdominal CT that confirmed gastric lipomatosis.

Discussion: Gastric lipomas are usually small, solitary and asymptomatic, and are hence often detected incidentally, surgical management in asymptomatic patients still be a in debate.

Conclusion: Non operative management in massive gastic lipomatosis is appropiate when the patient is asymptomatic without mucosal ulceration, regardless of the amount of gastric lipomas. Avoiding patient the morbidity of a total gastrectomy.