Epidural lipomatosis in steroid-treated patients

Epidural lipomatosis is a condition in which excess adipose tissue is deposited circumferentially about the spinal cord in the epidural space. It is most frequently seen in patients on chronic steroid treatment for a variety of medical problems and can present as nonspecific back pain, radiculopathy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSpine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976) Vol. 17; no. 2; p. 183
Main Authors Fessler, R G, Johnson, D L, Brown, F D, Erickson, R K, Reid, S A, Kranzler, L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.02.1992
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Epidural Space
Female
Humans
Immunosuppression
Lipomatosis - chemically induced
Male
Middle Aged
Myelography
Nerve Compression Syndromes - etiology
Prednisone - adverse effects
Prednisone - therapeutic use
Spinal Cord Compression - etiology
Spinal Nerve Roots
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Summary:Epidural lipomatosis is a condition in which excess adipose tissue is deposited circumferentially about the spinal cord in the epidural space. It is most frequently seen in patients on chronic steroid treatment for a variety of medical problems and can present as nonspecific back pain, radiculopathy, or frank spinal cord compression. Diagnosis and treatment have generally relied on multi-level decompressive laminectomy after myelography and computed tomography. The immunocompromised state and the reported postoperative mortality (22%) of these patients, however, suggests that nonoperative therapy may be preferable whenever possible. Five cases of epidural lipomatosis are reported, and previous literature is reviewed for presentation, evaluation, and treatment of this condition.
ISSN:0362-2436
DOI:10.1097/00007632-199202000-00011