A case of Madelung's disease combined with laryngeal cancer

Madelung's disease is a lipodystrophy of unknown etiology. This article reports a case of Madelung's disease complicated with laryngeal cancer. The clinical manifestations of the patient were progressive hoarseness and dyspnea, dysphagia, and diffuse symmetrical swelling of the neck, submental, and submandibular. Dynamic laryngoscopy revealed a giant cauliflower-like neoplasm in the throat, with the left vocal cord fixed. Laryngeal CT showed laryngeal carcinoma （transglottic type）, signs of lymph node metastasis in the left jugular chain region, and Madelung syndrome in the neck. Biochemical tests showed albumin 38.7 g/L, globulin 27.5 g/L, prealbumin 160 g/L, aspartate aminotransferase 14 IU/L, γ-transpeptidase 80 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase 7 IU/L, Creatinine 43 μmol/L. Preoperative pathology suggested squamous cell carcinoma. Admission diagnosis included laryngeal cancer （transglottic T4N1M0）, Ⅲ degree laryngeal obstruction, Madelung's disease and fatty liver. The patient recovered well after surgery.