Madelung’s Disease as an Example of a Metabolic Disease Associated with Alcohol Abuse—Diagnostic Importance of Computed Tomography

Abstract

Madelung’s disease is a rare metabolic disorder characterized by a symmetrical accumulation of nonencapsulated adipose tissue deposits, mainly around the head, neck and shoulders. Fat deposits can grow and put pressure on other organs causing a variety of symptoms, inter alia, dysphagia, breathing difficulties, neck stiffness and headache. Madelung’s disease is often accompanied by other disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, or liver disease. In addition to somatic issues, mental health problems may also develop causing social exclusion and depression. Middle-aged men with a history of alcohol abuse are the most commonly affected. Various imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT), are helpful in stating the diagnosis. This paper presents a case of a 33-year-old man with extensive adipose tissue overgrowth around neck and chest. CT-enhanced scans with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and volume rendering technique (VRT) reconstruction are also included.