Epidural Lipomatosis during Steroid Therapy

Abstract

Italian

A 65-year-old man had epidural lipomatosis following six months' treatment with corticosteroids for multiple myeloma.

The patient underwent decompressive laminectomy at the D4-D6 level.

Fat and some hard vascularized tissue extendng into the right D5 foramen were removed. At histological examination the tissue was composed of a dual component consisting of fat cells infiltrated by lymphomatous cells.

The literature is reviewed to evaluate the frequency and possible causes of this condition.

Keywords

epidural lipomatosis spinal cord compression steroid therapy fat tissue

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