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Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis: A Complication of Glucocorticoid Therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

N. A. Russell ,
G. Belanger ,
B. G. Benoit ,
D. N. Latter ,
D. L. Finestone  and
G. W. Armstrong
N. A. Russell*
Affiliation:
Divisions of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Family Practice, Physical Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, and the Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Royal Ottawa Regional Rehabilitation Centre and the University of Ottawa
G. Belanger
Affiliation:
Divisions of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Family Practice, Physical Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, and the Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Royal Ottawa Regional Rehabilitation Centre and the University of Ottawa
B. G. Benoit
Affiliation:
Divisions of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Family Practice, Physical Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, and the Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Royal Ottawa Regional Rehabilitation Centre and the University of Ottawa
D. N. Latter
Affiliation:
Divisions of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Family Practice, Physical Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, and the Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Royal Ottawa Regional Rehabilitation Centre and the University of Ottawa
D. L. Finestone
Affiliation:
Divisions of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Family Practice, Physical Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, and the Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Royal Ottawa Regional Rehabilitation Centre and the University of Ottawa
G. W. Armstrong
Affiliation:
Divisions of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Family Practice, Physical Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, and the Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Royal Ottawa Regional Rehabilitation Centre and the University of Ottawa
*
1081 Carling Avenue, Suite 308, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4G2
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Abstract:

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A 21-year-old woman receiving prolonged high dosage glucocorticoids developed spinal cord compression due to excessive accumulation of epidural fat. Computerized tomographic scanning confirmed the diagnosis and revealed a peculiar pattern of spinal cord displacement which we believe to be unique to compression by fat. Laminectomy did not afford relief, possibly because of prolonged neural compression or because of compression at a higher spinal level. Although an unusual complication of Cushing’s syndrome, epidural lipomatosis should be considered when such a patient develops symptoms of spinal cord or cauda equina compression.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , August 1984 , pp. 383 - 386
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1984

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