Nondysraphic intramedullary spinal cord lipomas: a review.
OBJECTIVE
Lipomas of the spinal cord are often a component of spinal dysraphic states. Nondysraphic intramedullary spinal cord lipomas are rare, and their presentation, in the form of gradually worsening myelopathy, is nonspecific. The authors report on the methods used for diagnosis and treatment in patients presenting with these lesions at their institution, and they review the relevant literature.


METHODS
The authors treated 14 patients who presented with intramedullary lipomas over a period of 12 years. None of these patients had segmentation anomaly or dysraphism of the spine, or any hindbrain anomaly. Admission magnetic resonance images were diagnostic in all patients. All tumors were located dorsally in the spinal cord, the majority of them in the cervicodorsal cord. The lipomas were partially excised with the help of a carbon dioxide laser in all patients in an attempt to preserve neurological function. All patients attained improvement in their sensory and motor symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Because these lesions do not have a clear-cut margin, it is vital to preserve neurological function at the time of surgery, even if it entails incomplete resection.
Bhatoe
Harjinder Singh
HS
Department of Neurosurgery, Army Hospital, Research & Referral, Delhi Cantt, India. hsbhatoe@indiatimes.com
Singh
Prakash
P
Chaturvedi
Aarti
A
Sahai
Kavita
K
Dutta
Vibha
V
Sahoo
P K
PK
D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*