Spinal epidural lipomatosis in myeloma

The prevalence of spinal epidural lipomatosis on magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) refers to an excessive accumulation of fat within the epidural space. It can be idiopathic or secondary, resulting in significant morbidity. The prevalence of SEL, including idiopathic and secondary SEL, and its respective risk factors are poorly defined.

PURPOSE

We sought to: (1) assess the prevalence of SEL among patients who underwent a dedicated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the spine-including incidental SEL (ie, SEL without any spine-related symptoms), SEL with spine-related symptoms, and symptomatic SEL (ie, with symptoms specific for SEL); and (2) assess factors associated with overall SEL and subgroups. In addition, we assessed differences between SEL subgroups.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of 28,902 patients, aged 18 years and older with a spine MRI (2004 to 2015) at two tertiary care centers. We identified SEL cases by searching radiology reports for SEL, including synonyms and misspellings. Prevalence numbers were calculated as a percentage of the total number of patients. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with overall SEL and subgroups.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overall SEL was 2.5% (731 of 28,902): incidental SEL, 0.6% (168 of 28,902); SEL with symptoms, 1.8% (526 of 28,902); and symptomatic SEL, 0.1% (37 of 28,902). Factors associated with overall SEL in multivariate analysis were the following: older age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.02, p<.001), higher modified Charlson comorbidity index (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.07-1.13, p<.001), male sex (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.71-2.37, p<.001), BMI>30 (OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.97-3.41, p<.001), Black/African American race (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.24-2.23, p=.001), systemic corticosteroid use (OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.69-3.99, p<.001), and epidural corticosteroid injections (OR: 3.48, 95% CI: 2.82-4.30, p<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that about 1 in 40 patients undergoing a spine MRI had SEL; 23% of whom with no symptoms, 72% with spine-related symptoms, and 5% with symptoms specific for SEL. Our data help identify patients who might warrant an increased index of suspicion for SEL.

Neuromuscular complications in cancer

Cancer is becoming a treatable and even often curable disease. The neuromuscular system can be affected by direct tumor invasion or metastasis, neuroendocrine, metabolic, dysimmune/inflammatory, infections and toxic as well as paraneoplastic conditions. Due to the nature of cancer treatment, which frequently is based on a DNA damaging mechanism, treatment related toxic side effects are frequent and the correct identification of the causative mechanism is necessary to initiate the proper treatment. The peripheral nervous system is conventionally divided into nerve roots, the proximal nerves and plexus, the peripheral nerves (mono- and polyneuropathies), the site of neuromuscular transmission and muscle. This review is based on the anatomic distribution of the peripheral nervous system, divided into cranial nerves (CN), motor neuron (MND), nerve roots, plexus, peripheral nerve, the neuromuscular junction and muscle. The various etiologies of neuromuscular complications - neoplastic, surgical and mechanic, toxic, metabolic, endocrine, and paraneoplastic/immune - are discussed separately for each part of the peripheral nervous system.

An unusual case of spinal cord compression from concomitant spinal epidural lipomatosis and Hodgkin's lymphoma

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) results from an abnormal accumulation of unencapsulated fat within the epidural space and is a rare cause of spinal cord compression, which needs to be considered with a high index of suspicion. It most commonly occurs secondary to chronic corticosteroid use and endocrinopathies. Idiopathic cases are highly associated with obesity. We report an unusual case of idiopathic thoracic SEL in a 69-year-old male, with an adjacent infiltrative Hodgkin's lymphoma and associated vertebral crush fracture, which resulted in ataxia and sensory loss. Magnetic resonance imaging scans displayed extensive SEL and an infiltrative disease process causing thoracic cord compression. Surgical decompression confirmed the presence of extensive epidural lipomatosis and Hodgkin's lymphoma and subsequently led to improvement in neurological symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of concomitant SEL with an adjacent Hodgkin's lymphoma resulting in cord compression.

Spinal epidural lipomatosis in children with hematologic malignancies

Abnormal fat deposition in the epidural space or spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) due to corticosteroid treatment or obesity may cause obstruction to cerebrospinal fluid flow. Little is known about SEL in patients with hematologic malignancies who require frequent lumbar punctures and corticosteroid treatment that places them at risk. Records and radiologic images of patients with SEL and leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) treated at a single institution from 1999-2009 were reviewed. Risk factors were compared with 405 control patients with leukemia. Fourteen patients with leukemia or NHL were diagnosed with SEL. The majority of patients underwent diagnostic imaging after unsuccessful lumbar punctures within 1 month of their primary diagnosis. Prior to SEL diagnosis, all patients received systemic and/or intrathecal corticosteroids. SEL diagnosis led to modification of intrathecal administration in eight patients, including Ommaya reservoir placement in four patients. All patients completed protocol-specified chemotherapy without neurologic symptoms or surgical intervention. Risk factors for developing SEL include older age and high body mass index. Investigation for SEL in leukemia or lymphoma patients with difficult lumbar punctures is warranted. Placement of an Ommaya reservoir may facilitate safe CNS-directed therapy in severely affected patients.