Current RMA Instruments:
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP | 82 of 2024 |
|---|---|
Balance of Probabilities SOP | 83 of 2024 |
Changes from Previous Instruments:
ICD coding:
- ICD-10-AM: D17
Brief description:
This is a benign neoplasm of fat cells occuring in the subcutaneous tissues (under the skin). They are often foun don the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen or limbs.
Confirming the diagnosis:
This diagnosis is normally established by clinical examination as well as imaging or biopsy and histopathology results.
To establish this diagnosis, the assessment and/or management will commonly involve consultation with a General Practitioner and occasionally a dermatologist.
Additional diagnoses covered by these SoPs
- Nil
Conditions not covered by these SOPs
- Breast lipoma #
- Fat hyperplasia #
- Liposarcoma #
- Post traumatic pseudolipoma #
- Prolapse of adipose tissue#
- Angiolipoma #
* another SOP applies - the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset
Subcutaneous lipomas are commonly asymptomatic. On clinical examination, they are often soft, rubbery and mobile lumps beneath the skin. Clinical onset will be when a lump, subsequently diagnosed to be a lipoma, was first assessed by a doctor.
Clinical worsening
Although possible in cases in which treatment is required and unable to be provided, clinical worsening is an uncommon scenario for subcutaneous lipomas. This is because the natural history of the underlying pathology of lipoma is to enlarge or to stay the same size. Most remain asymptomatic but some lipomas may be excised depending on factors related to their size, location, and patient preferences.