Is epidural lipomatosis associated with abnormality of body fat distribution? A case report

Eur Spine J. 2006 Jan;15(1):105-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-005-0955-x. Epub 2005 Jul 9.

Abstract

To report a case of epidural lipomatosis in a patient with abnormal adipose tissue distribution, glucose intolerance and mixed hyperlipidemia. A 63-year-old male patient presented with low back pain radiating to the left calf on standing and walking (walking distance <100 m). He weighed 97.5 kg, was 1.73 m tall (BMI 32.6 kg/m2) and had a waist circumference of 113 cm. He had a glucose intolerance after a 75-g glucose oral load test. CT-Myelography revealed voluminous epidural lipomatosis around L4-L5 and L5-S1. Low calorie diet and reduction in alcohol intake achieved a weight loss of 17.5 kg in 7 months (80 kg, BMI 25.8 kg/m2, waist circumference 94 cm) and dramatic improvement in low back pain, walking distance (>500 m) and reduction of lipomatosis on CT-scan. Our case suggests a relationship between central obesity phenotype and epidural lipomatosis. Specific insulin resistance treatment might be proposed for these patients if this hypothesis is confirmed in further studies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Body Fat Distribution / adverse effects*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Epidural Space
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glucose Intolerance
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias / diagnosis*
  • Hyperlipidemias / therapy
  • Lipomatosis / diagnosis*
  • Lipomatosis / etiology
  • Lipomatosis / therapy
  • Low Back Pain
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myelography
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / therapy