Spinal Intramedullary Lipoma without Dysraphism

ABSTRACT

Spinal cord lipomas are commonly associated with spinal dysraphism. The lipomas without spinal dysraphism have been reported to be only 1% of all spinal cord lipomas. We report two cases of patients with spinal intramedullary lipomas without dysraphism. One patient was a 57-year-old man who had lower back pain and right-sided sciatica for 20 years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine demonstrated an intradural mass occupying L1 to L2. The other patient was a 27-year-old woman who had back pain and gait disturbance for 5 months. MRI of the spine showed an elongated intradural mass occupying T7 to T9. Total laminectomy with partial resection of the lesions was performed on both patients. Pathological studies confirmed the diagnosis of spinal cord lipoma. They exhibited no dysraphism. Postoperatively, neurological symptoms improved in both patients.