title: Progressive epidural lipomatosis with steroid use in severe refractory asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-term immunosuppression with oral corticosteroids is frequently used to treat inflammatory diseases of the lung and is advocated in the management of some patients with asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors describe the case of a 35-year-old man with severe refractory asthma who developed a slowly progressive thoracic spinal cord syndrome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spinal imaging demonstrated the presence of spinal epidural lipomatosis, a rare complication of prolonged corticosteroid therapy, which is characterized by overgrowth of fat in the epidural space and neuronal compression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spinal epidural lipomatosis should be considered in patients receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy who develop symptoms and signs suggestive of spinal cord compression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK. benwakerley@fastmail.fm
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wakerley
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D008068:Lipomatosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000730:Androstadienes; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D011239:Prednisolone; D000068298:Fluticasone