A man named Hong Shu from China, who drank almost a litre of white spirit a day for over three decades has developed a fatty tumour around his throat that made him ‘the man with the horse’s neck’.
Shu was diagnosed with the rare Madelung disease, where fatty deposits accumulate in various areas of the body including the neck, arms and legs.
Since the beginning of this year, the swelling around Hong’s neck has grown enormously and he has been experiencing difficulties in turning his neck, swallowing and even breathing. After examinations and X-rays, doctors diagnosed Hong with Madelung disease and has attributed the cause to his excessive drinking. Hong underwent three successive surgeries to remove the fatty deposits and is said to be recovering and ready to be discharged.
MADELUNG DISEASE FACTS
Madelung disease is a rare condition where fatty deposits form around the neck, arms and upper torso. The ‘fat tumours’ are generally benign but could become cancerous. It affects men aged between 30 and 70 with a history of long-term alcohol abuse but people outside of this criteria can also be affected. Sufferers can experience difficulty swallowing and breathing as well as mobility problems. The disease is usually treated with surgery or liposuction
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