Lipomeningocele with Tethered Cord Syndrome in an Adult: A Case Report

Abstract

Lipomeningocele is a closed neural tube defect characterized by the presence of spinal tissue within the spinal cord, with a junction between the spinal cord and a lipoma. It has a prevalence of 0.6 per 10,000 live births. A 29-year-old female presented to the outpatient clinic with complaints of weakness in both legs (more on the right) and tingling sensation and pain over her right thigh and legs for 1 year. She also mentioned swelling in her lower back since birth, which has been growing progressively since childhood. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed a low-lying spinal cord with the conus lying at the lower end of the L2 vertebral body. Spinal decompression with detethering of the cord and excision of the lipomeningocele was undertaken via a posterior midline incision. Prompt surgical intervention are crucial for symptom relief and prevention of neurological deterioration.

Keywords: case reports; lipoma; spinal dysraphism; tethered cord syndrome.

Figure 1. Contrast-enhanced MRI of the spine showing conus lying at the level of the lower end of L2 vertebra with herniation of epidural fat and small dural sac through defect in posterior elements at L3 level without herniation of neural components.