title: Subacute steroid-induced paraparesis: surgical treatment of a devastating "invisible" side effect.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To emphasize an underestimated side effect following long-term use of steroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report on surgical treatment of two patients with serious neurologic deficits caused by epidural spinal lipoma following long-term intake of cortisone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Early decompression of the spinal cord by removal of epidural lipoma was the most effective treatment in these patients with progressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diagnostic work-up of such patients should include early spinal MRI resulting in surgical intervention, if indicated. Decompression of the spinal cord eventually combined with fusion is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. mirzayan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M Javad
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mirzayan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Javad Mirzayan
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goessling
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huefner
authors.forename: Joachim K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Krauss
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003348:Cortisone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D020335:Paraparesis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000601:surgery*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003348:Cortisone