Intramedullary holocord lipoma in an athlete: case report.
OBJECTIVE
Holocord intradural lipoma extending from the cervical to the lumbar spine is an exceedingly rare condition. An extensive review of the literature revealed that only eight other cases have been reported, and none occurred during the contemporary magnetic resonance imaging era.


METHODS
A case of holocord intradural lipoma that was partially resected with the aid of carbon dioxide laser and intraoperative ultrasound is reported.


METHODS
The intimate relationship of the lipoma to the nerve roots and the absence of a distinct plane between tumor and spinal cord precluded a complete resection of this tumor. At 7 months postoperatively, the patient's dysesthetic pain had resolved almost completely. Proprioception in the lower extremities had improved significantly to the point that the patient was able to walk without a cane and his preoperative Romberg's sign had disappeared.


CONCLUSIONS
Extensive intradural intramedullary spinal lipomas can present in adulthood with symptoms of myelopathy as well as nonradicular pain. We encourage early surgical debulking of the tumor to prevent further progression of symptoms and to offer the possibility of neurological improvement.
Razack
N
N
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Florida, USA.
Jimenez
O F
OF
Aldana
P
P
Ragheb
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009333:Neck; D011859:Radiography; D012916:Soccer; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013909:Thorax