title: Spinal epidural lipomatosis: case reports, literature review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Symptomatic spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL), a rare cause of spinal cord compression, has most often been associated with exogenous steroid use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Identify four associations with SEL, correlate the associated groups with level of disease and compare treatment with outcome data in these groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case reports of three patients and analysis of 104 cases from the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients from the senior author's practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors report three new cases of SEL not associated with steroid use. They review all available English literature and present a table of all 104 reported cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical course of three new patients is reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Associated conditions are exogenous steroid use, obesity, endogenous steroid excess, and some remain idiopathic. Although SEL is a rare condition, our review of the literature reveals many more reported cases than previously thought. With increased awareness of this condition and improved imaging techniques, further studies of this disease should be undertaken.
authors.affiliation: Houston Spine Surgery, TX 77007, USA.
authors.forename: Guy R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Fogel
authors.forename: Paul Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Stephen I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Esses
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000473:pathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008068:Lipomatosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids