Unusual presentation of a giant thoracic spinal cord lipoma.
Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2022;
8:35. [PMID:
35347111 PMCID:
PMC8960759 DOI:
10.1038/s41394-022-00489-8]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Non-dysraphic intradural spinal cord lipomas are rare, and true intramedullary cervical-thoracic lipomas are extremely rare. Spinal lipomas usually present with chronic, progressive myelopathic features. Unlike dysraphic lipomas, which are usually located in the lumbo-sacral region, non-dysraphic lipomas are usually located in the cervical or thoracic spine.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present an unusual case of a 21-year-old female who presented with four months of severe back pain, progressive spasticity, and weakness in the lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a T1- and T2-hyperintense lesion between D4 and D6.
DISCUSSION
This fatty intramedullary lesion had undergone evolution and a possible hemorrhagic infarct and cord compression. The patient underwent an urgent dorsal laminoplasty and total resection of this lesion, which histopathology indicated was a fibrous lipoma. Total resection is possible in such cases if a micro-surgical technique that includes neurophysiological monitoring is used.
Collapse