[Extradural angiolipoma of the thoracic spine: a case report and literature review].

BACKGROUND

Spinal angiolipomas (SA) are rare primary tumors accounting for 0.14-1.2% of all spinal cord and spine tumors and approximately 3% of extradural spinal neoplasms (<0.1% of all primary CNS tumors). Histologically, SA consists of mature adipocytes and abnormally developed vessels. Clinical presentation of this tumor is due to severe spinal cord compression.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The authors present a 33-year-old patient with severe spinal cord compression who underwent resection of Th6-Th8 spinal angiolipoma. The Pubmed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and eLibrary databases were screened using appropriate keywords.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Extradural tumor > 5 cm causing severe dural sac compression was excised. In early postoperative period, there were complete regression of preoperative lower spastic paraparesis and gait improvement.

CONCLUSION

SAs are extremely rare, and their total resection with preservation or improvement of neurological status is possible in a specialized hospital.