Expansive laminoplasty for lumbar intradural lipoma.

We evaluated the pre- and postoperative neurological state of 3 patients with lumbar intradural lipoma. Total resection of the lipoma in the cauda equina was impossible, and partial resection and expansive laminoplasty was carried out. Subsequent neural involvement may depend on the duration of symptoms rather than the extent of resection. Expansive laminoplasty is appropriate in these circumstances since decompression is combined with spinal stabilization.