Growth of intramedullary lipoma in a renal transplant recipient.
BACKGROUND
Administration of glucocorticoids can lead to a variety of complications in addition to deposition of fat leading to cushingoid features. Corticosteroids, either endogenously produced or exogenously administered, are implicated in the growth of lipomas in different anatomic locations including the epidural space in the spinal cord causing cord compression.


METHODS
We report a growth of lipoma in an unusual site in a 28-year-old female renal transplant recipient within 6 weeks of renal transplant surgery.


RESULTS
Our patient had an intradural lipoma that had merged with the medulla of the spinal cord making its total excision unfeasible without damaging the spinal cord.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidural lipomas causing cord compression is documented in patients receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy. This is the first case of intramedullary lipoma of the spinal cord that may be related to steroid use.
Agraharkar
A
A
Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, Massachusetts 01604, USA.
McGillicuddy
G
G
Ahuja
T
T
Agraharkar
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008067:Lipoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008526:Medulla Oblongata; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids