title: Considering symptomatic spinal epidural lipomatosis in the differential diagnosis.
abstract: Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is the abnormal accumulation of normal fat within the spinal canal. It is more frequent in those patients receiving chronic glucocorticoid therapy or in cases of endogenous hypercortisolism states. We report a case of SEL in a patient with metastatic prostate cancer with history of steroid treatment as part of his chemotherapy regimen, presenting with clinical manifestations of partial cord compression. Magnetic resonance imaging images of the lumbar spine revealed the presence of epidural tumor suspicious for metastatic disease. Operative findings were consistent with epidural lipomatosis. Spinal epidural lipomatosis is a rare condition that needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with risk factors, presenting with symptomatic cord compression.
authors.affiliation: The Harry R. Horvitz Center Section of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Raghava
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Induru
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lagman
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008068:Lipomatosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis