Management of idiopathic spinal epidural lipomatosis: a case report and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is a rare pathologic growth of histologically normal unencapsulated adipose tissue in the epidural space. Although rare, SEL can compress the spinal cord or nerve roots causing myelopathy or radiculopathy. While SEL has been associated with long-term exposure to endogenous or exogenous steroids and obesity, idiopathic forms of SEL are much rarer. CASE REPORT In this report, we present the first case of SEL isolated to the cervical region compressing the spinal cord in a healthy, non-obese, preadolescent patient. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic SEL in the pediatric population is a rare entity. This is the first case of epidural lipomatosis isolated to the cervical region in an adult or child patient. In refractory, symptomatic cases of idiopathic SEL, surgical decompression is often required.