Idiopathic Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis in a non-obese healthy man.

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 16(3); 1998 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1998;16(3): 402-407.

비만증이 없는 건강한 성인남자에서 발생한 특발성 척수 경막외 지방종증 1례

임용빈, 조용진·김대성·정대수·박규현·송근성*·나상옥**

부산대학교병원 신경과, 신경외과*·부산삼선병원 신경과**

Idiopathic Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis in a non-obese healthy man.

Yong-Bin Yim, M.D., Yong-Jin Jo, M.D., Dae-Seong Kim, M.D., Dae-Su Jeong, M.D., Kyu-Hyun Park, M.D., Geun-Sung Song, M.D.*, and Sang-Ok Na, M.D**

Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery,* Pusan National University Hospital Department of Neurology, Pusan Sam-Sun Hospital**.

Abstract

We report a non-obese patient suffering from spastic gait and right leg paresis caused by thoracic spinal cord compression secondary to spinal epidural lipomatosis. Although spinal epidural lipomatosis is most often associated with the administration of exogenous steroid or endogenous Cushing syndrome, obesity also has been reported as a possible cause. However, idiopathic(non-glucocorticoid induced) spinal epidural lipomatosis in non-obese healthy man is an extremely rare disease and dose not have any good explanation for the abnormal fat deposition in spinal epidural space. We recently experienced a patient with idiopathic thoracic epidural lipomatosis in whom MRI and histopathology established the specific diagnosis. With a case report, brief review of the disease including clinical feature, diagnostic procedure and therapeutic considerations is described. Key Words : Lipomatosis, Spinal cord compression, Extradural fat.