Madelung's disease (benign symmetric lipomatosis).

Madelung's disease, benign symmetric lipomatosis, is a rare disease of undetermined cause characterized by symmetric deposits of diffuse adipose tissue on the cheeks, the neck, and the upper trunk. This article outlines our experience with four patients and presents a case report of a specifically remarkable affectation that agrees with previous data linking male alcoholics with this disease. The treatment in all cases was palliative surgical removal of excess fat from the neck and paracervical regions.