Spinal angiolipoma: case report and review of the literature

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2004 Mar;146(3):299-302; discussion 302. doi: 10.1007/s00701-003-0196-x. Epub 2004 Feb 13.

Abstract

Spinal angiolipomas are rare lesions usually found in the epidural space of the thoracic spine. This report presents a case of and reviews the literature on this rare entity. The etiology, clinical presentation, imaging, and treatment are discussed. In 92 reported cases of spinal angiolipoma 56 occurred in women (61%), and 36 in men (39%). Mean age of occurrence is 42.9 years (range 10 days-85 years) with most patients presenting with slowly progressive symptoms of spinal cord compression. Most cases occur in the extradural compartment, and are of the non-invasive subtype. This rare clinical entity must be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal epidural lesions. In most cases complete removal is possible, however, prognosis is good even for infiltrating lesions. Thus, one must not risk neurological damage to attain complete resection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiolipoma / etiology
  • Angiolipoma / pathology*
  • Angiolipoma / surgery
  • Epidural Neoplasms / etiology
  • Epidural Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Epidural Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Thoracic Vertebrae