Case Report
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World J Radiol. Apr 28, 2013; 5(4): 187-192
Published online Apr 28, 2013. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v5.i4.187
Thoracic epidural angiolipoma: A case report and review of the literature
Jun Meng, Yong Du, Han-Feng Yang, Fu-Bi Hu, Ya-Yong Huang, Bing Li, Chi-Shing Zee
Jun Meng, Yong Du, Han-Feng Yang, Fu-Bi Hu, Ya-Yong Huang, Bing Li, Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, Sichuan Province, China
Chi-Shing Zee, Department of Radiology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
Author contributions: Meng J and Du Y contributed equally to this work; Meng J, Du Y, Yang HF and Hu FB collected information about the patient; Meng J, Du Y, Yang HF and Zee CS designed the research; Meng J, Du Y, Yang HF, Hu FB, Huang YY and Li B collected the data; Meng J, Du Y, Yang HF and Hu FB analyzed the data; Meng J and Du Y wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Yong Du, MD, Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, 63 Wenhua Road, Nanchong 637000, Sichuan Province, China. yongdu2005@126.com
Telephone: +86-817-3352006 Fax: +86-817-2262236
Received: November 6, 2012
Revised: December 18, 2012
Accepted: January 14, 2013
Published online: April 28, 2013
Processing time: 181 Days and 17.6 Hours
Abstract

Angiolipoma of the spine is a benign neoplasm consisting of both mature fatty tissue and abnormal vascular elements, and usually presents with a slow progressive clinical course. Our patient presented with bilateral lower extremity weakness and chest-back numbness. Physical examination revealed adipose elements superficial hypesthesia below the T5 level and analgesia below the T6 level. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed an avidly and heterogeneously enhancing mass which was located in the posterior epidural space. Compression of the thoracic cord by the fusiform mass was seen between T3-T4. During the operation, a flesh pink vascular mass (4.7 cm × 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm) with obscure margin and strong but pliable texture was found in the posterior epidural space extending from T3 to T4. There was no infiltration of the dura or the adjacent bony spine. Histopathological study of the surgical specimen showed a typical angiolipoma. We review the previously documented cases of spinal extradural angiolipomas performed with MRI.

Keywords: Angiolipoma; Spinal epidural tumor; Spinal cord compression; Histopathology