Brain Lipoma in a 6 month old baby

[DebraUn]

My daughter was born premature and her doctors were concerned about her head circumference.  They ordered a sedated CT scan to determine if she had premature bone fusing or any brain calcifications.  

She did not but they found a 4mm lesion in the left ventricle of her brain.  They're calling it a "Lipoma".  What is this?  They have ordered a sedated MRI to get a better image of the tumor.  Has anybody else had this experience and what was the outcome?

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for your post.
Skull lipomas are known to occur in babies. Premature babies have a greater chance of developing skull lipomas since their skull bones are immature and brain is not completely developed. Please remember lipomas are benign tumor.
However nothing can be said for sure without clinical exam and tests. Please follow up with your baby’s neurologist and let us know if you need any other information. Take care!

[ggreg]

To both of you,
Deb, I have a dog who has had those lipomas all his life, in various parts of his body, ever since he was a pup, and some have gotten pretty large over the years, but are harmless unless they push on the throat and obstruct breathing or cause pain, for example.  They are benign cysts.  I know, a dog is not like a child, and I'm sorry, I surely mean no insult...but a lipoma is a lipoma, no matter if a dog has it or a child has it.  I imagine they're checking the one in the brain's left ventricle to make sure it's not blocking anything or pushing on anything, especially since your baby's head circumference wasn't quite right.  I sort of think they may want to get it out of there, but since it's in the baby's head, of course it's risky surgery, to be perfectly frank, because they don't want to disturb good parts of the brain.  Still, not to worry, the people who do those types of operations are the best surgeons there are, particularly those who work with babies.  It's a GOOD thing that they have discovered it now, rather than down the road when it might cause secondary sorts of trouble.  The lipoma itself is not dangerous, tho... it's what its foreign presence might do to surrounding parts of the body.

Jaylynn,
I read your other email, too.  A bump just under the skin, on the head like yours child's is, will be okay.  BUT you do need to have it looked at by a doc, on account of you said your baby knocked his head, too.  A physician will want to make sure your child's neurological signs are normal, just in case.  And so, since your finances are limited, you can get free care at the county health department in your area.  They charge according to what you make, and even if you do have family income, it's a very small sum they request anyway, and all the way down to free.  I've seen many, many mothers and children in the county clinic.  And I am so glad you are being supportive to Deb.

I wish you both the best, and encourage you two to message each other through the "My Med Help" tab at the very top of the page on the right, with a heart icon under it.  Normally I wouldn't have gotten in the middle here, but since I know about those lipomas, I would be remiss if I didn't try to address both of your issues.
GG

[jaylynn1983]

i have a 7 month old boy and just the last 3 days i have noticed a "lipoma" in the lower left side of his head under his scalp. My husband doesn't seem to worry about it but me as a mom ofcourse i do. I think we have the same circumstance. have you got any answers yet? i would love to hear from you on new developments and if its serious. We don't have medical coverage, not that that will deter me from getting it looked at but i just want some feedback before i spend an arm and leg in doing so.  thank you so much for any info you can provide me


jaime
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