Massive swelling of the cervical region: An uncommon manifestation of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

Case report: We report about a 61-year-old woman who attended our Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery complaining about an increasing swelling of her neck over a period of several years and asking for possible plastic surgery options. Further examinations lead us to the diagnosis of an uncommon manifestation of chronic B cell lymphoma. We suggest that plastic surgeons may refer to magnetic resonance tomography imaging and blood cell counts prior to liposuction of a massive swelling of the neck.

Discussion: Accurate reduction of adipose tissue in the obese patient is a common field for plastic surgeons. Thus, liposuction has become a standard regimen to treat adipose swelling. But there may be exceptions to the rule. In this case report, we present an uncommon manifestation of a chronic lymphocytic leukemia which showed a massive soft swelling of the whole neck, mimicking Madelung’s disease.