Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Induced by Epidural Lipomatosis: A case report

ABSTRACT

The epidural lipomatosis is the unusual result of fat deposition in the extradural space of spinal canal, and most cases are associated with the chronic systemic steroid treatment. Symptoms related to spinal stenosis are postulated to result from spinal cord and nerve root compression. MR imaging is the first choice of the investigation method. Patients with acute progressive symptoms are best treated surgically, while others with stable symptoms can initially be treated medically with immediate tapering of their steroid dose. We reported one case of lumbar spinal stenosis induced by epidural lipomatosis receiving chronic steroid treatment. Surgical treatment could not be performed because of the poor general condition. Rehabilitation care and nonoperative therapy were effective in improving symptoms in lumbar epidural spinal stenosis induced by epidural lipomatosis.