Spinal Epidural Angiolipoma

Abstract

Three cases of spinal epidural angiolipoma, all affecting middle-aged women, are reported. Spinal epidural angiolipomas are considered a separate entity from the more common lipomas involving the same space. Although these tumors are considered very rare, the occurrence of three cases in less than 2 years in the same geographical area raises the question of their frequency. The computed tomographic scan has been misleading in two of our patients, whereas magnetic resonance imaging was highly suggestive. Two of these tumors were apparently exceptional, being lumbar and anterior. The patients were admitted with typical sciatic symptoms; one tumor eroded the vertebral body. Spinal epidural angiolipomas may go unreported because their pathogenetic potential is not fully recognized. We suggest that both magnetic resonance imaging and the operating microscope should have a more significant place in the evaluation and treatment of sciatica.

Lumbar spinal angiolipomas: report of two cases and review of the literature

“…1,4,26 Rarely, angiolipomas may cause sudden deterioration by thrombosis, hemorrhage, or steal phenomena. 4,6,16,27 The extremely unusual pure lumbar anterior localization of the lesions in our patients explains the atypical clinical presentation. In fact, both patients complained of lumbosciatalgic pain.…”

“…A review of the international literature since 1892 to 2002 revealed 83 cases of spinal extradural angiolipomas including our two cases. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Most spinal angiolipomas are found at thoracic level and arise in the posterior extradural space. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Pure lumbar localization is extremely rare.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9] Most spinal angiolipomas are found at thoracic level and arise in the posterior extradural space. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Pure lumbar localization is extremely rare. Only six cases [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] of lumbar angiolipomas are reported in the literature accessible to us (Table 1).…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9] Pure lumbar localization is extremely rare. Only six cases [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] of lumbar angiolipomas are reported in the literature accessible to us (Table 1). Several excellent review articles [4][5][6][7][8][9] are already available.…”

“…Only six cases [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] of lumbar angiolipomas are reported in the literature accessible to us (Table 1). Several excellent review articles [4][5][6][7][8][9] are already available. The purpose of this report is to report two exceptionally rare cases of lumbar angiolipomas localized in the ventral aspect of the epidural space and to review the pertinent literature.…”