title: Isolated lipoma of filum terminale in adults: MRI findings and clinical correlation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fat within the filum terminale is frequently seen on routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbosacral spine (LSS), with prevalence of 1-5%. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and MRI features of isolated lipoma of filum terminale (LFT) in adult population and its correlation with the patient clinical presentations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective analysis of all lumbosacral MRI performed at King Abdullah University Hospital during a 21-month period. A total of 37 patients with LFT were included. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A patients have neurological deficit manifested by either motor, sensory or sphincter abnormality. Group B patients have normal neurological examination. Clinical findings were correlated with: A: thickness of LFT, B: length of LFT, C: distance of LFT from conus medullaris (CM), D: age of the patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of isolated LFT in our study was 3.2%. There was no significant correlation between the thickness or length of LFT and the presence of neurological deficit. The distance of LFT from CM was also not correlated with the patient clinical presentation. No significant difference in the age between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LFT in adult likely represent an incidental finding on routine lumbosacral MRI. Special attention for LFT in children is mandatory as it may indicate clinical tethering in otherwise normal appearing LSS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Jordan University of Science and Technology Department of Neuroscience, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. mamoonomari@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ma'moon H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Al-Omari
authors.forename: Haytham M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Eloqayli
authors.forename: Hana' M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Qudseih
authors.forename: Mohammad K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Al-Shinag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002420:Cauda Equina; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult