An intraspinal extradural lipoma with spinal epidural lipomatosis: A case report and a review of literature

BACKGROUND: Intraspinal extradural lipomas are very rare and should be differentiated from spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) and/or angiolipomas. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 76-year-old male presented with left lower extremity radiculopathy. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hyperplasia of epidural fat at the L2-3 and L3-4 levels accompanied by a lipomatous L4-5 mass. Following resection of this mass and hyperplastic epidural fat, the histological examination was consistent with an intraspinal extradural lipoma and SEL. CONCLUSION: This case indicates that asymmetrical compression of the dural sac may be attributed to an intraspinal extradural lipoma vs. just SEL and/or an angiolipoma.