title: Intraspinal lipomas without associated spinal dysraphism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to report surgical strategies and clinical outcomes for thoraco-lumbar intradural lipomas. Intraspinal lipomas are rare congenital histologically benign neoplasms, which account for less than 1% of all spinal cord tumors. These tumors are most frequently found in the lumbosacral area as components of a dysraphic state, however, intramedullary lipomas are not associated with spina bifida or cutaneous malformations and have only been described as isolated cases among spinal lipomas, where the thoracolumbar region is rarely affected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients with thoracolumbar intradural lipomas were admitted to our clinic at different points of time. Partial resections and debulking of the tumors were achieved with the guidance of an operating microscope. We performed laminectomies or laminoplasties, for tumor resections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postoperatively, the patients demonstrated significant clinical improvements. In this manuscript we presented our surgical experiences for intraspinal lipomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kayhan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuzeyli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurology, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Acar Arslan
keywords: Diagnostic Techniques, Surgical; Lipoma; Spinal Cord; Spinal Dysraphism