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. 2022 Mar 24;15(1):14.
doi: 10.1186/s12245-021-00404-2.

Spinal epidural lipomatosis

Hanae Ramdani  1 , Manal Jidal  2 , Rachida Saouab  2 , Imad-Eddine Sahri  3 , Hassan En-Nouali  2 , Jamal El Fenni  2
Affiliations

Spinal epidural lipomatosis

Hanae Ramdani et al. Int J Emerg Med. .

Abstract

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is a rare pathologic growth of histologically normal nonencapsulated adipose tissue in the epidural space. It can cause myelopathy or radiculopathy. Etiologies include chronic exposure to endogenous or exogenous steroids and obesity. Idiopathic forms are much infrequent. We present a case of lumbar SEL compressing the thecal sac in a 50-year-old female patient.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Midsagittal T1 (a), T2 (b), and STIR (c) weighted images show a large amount of circumferential epidural fat (black and white arrows) surrounding the dural sac at level L5-S1. No other substantial lumbar spine abnormality is present
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Axial T2-weighted images at L5-S1 interspace (a) and S1 superior end plate (b) demonstrate the pathognomonic “Y” shape of the dural sac
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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