Infiltrating spinal angiolipoma causing myelopathy: case report

Neurosurgery. 1990 Aug;27(2):315-8. doi: 10.1097/00006123-199008000-00027.

Abstract

We present a case of an infiltrating spinal angiolipoma demonstrating extension into the vertebral body and the spinal epidural space. The infiltration into the epidural space caused myelopathy. About 40 cases of spinal angiolipoma and angiomyolipoma have been reported; however, only a few cases have been the infiltrating type. The radiological findings were similar to those of vertebral hemangioma, but poor enhancement of the angiolipoma on contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scans differentiated between them. The infiltrating epidural tumor was removed, and the clinical symptoms improved remarkably. Total removal of the tumor and stabilization of the involved vertebral body using the anterolateral approach may be desirable when a diagnosis of angiolipoma or angiomyolipoma is confirmed preoperatively.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Hemangioma / complications*
  • Hemangioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemangioma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Lipoma / complications*
  • Lipoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Lipoma / surgery
  • Radiography
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / surgery
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / complications*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / surgery