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. 2017 Nov 6;15(1):36-39.
doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2017.11.001. eCollection 2018 Mar.

Incidence of spinal epidural lipomatosis in patients with spinal stenosis

Jason Bradley Malone  1   2 , Patrick Jon Bevan  1 , Todd Jay Lewis  1 , Andrew David Nelson  1 , Doug Edward Blaty  1 , Michael Eastland Kahan  1
Affiliations

Incidence of spinal epidural lipomatosis in patients with spinal stenosis

Jason Bradley Malone et al. J Orthop. .

Abstract

Inroduction: Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis (SEL) is believed to be a rare disorder. The incidence and prevalence of clinically symptomatic SEL in patients with spinal stenosis has never been reported in the literature. Our study aims to determine the prevalence, incidence, and associated risk factors of SEL in patients with the diagnosis of spinal stenosis.

Methods: This is a retrospective study. We reviewed the charts of 831 patients with the diagnosis of spinal stenosis over a 30 month period. All patients had spinal MRIs. Grading of SEL was performed using the Borré method.

Results: 52 patients (21 female and 31 male) had symptomatic moderate and severe SEL. We found a prevalence of 6.26% and an annual incidence of 2.5%. SEL was most commonly seen at L5-S1 level. 27% had received corticosteroids. All SEL patients were overweight and 79% were obese.

Conclusions: SEL is not uncommon in patients with spinal stenosis. SEL should be considered as a possible diagnosis in those with symptoms of spinal stenosis especially in those with associated risk factors.

Keywords: Benign spinal tumor; Lumbar epidural lipomatosis; Spinal epidural lipomatosis.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Grade 3 Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis. Note stenosis caused by the epidural fat and the stellate formation of the dural sac seen on an axial T1 MRI image.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Grade 3 Spinal Lipomatosis. Note the stenotic appearing dural sac due to the large amount of epidural fat seen on an axial T1 MRI image.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Grade 3 Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis: Note the classic “Y” sign seen on an axial T1 MRI image.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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