Spinal angiolipomas in pregnancy: Natural history and surgical treatment

Abstract

Spinal angiolipomas (SALs) are rare extradural tumors frequently located at the level of the thoracic spine and they are associated with spinal cord compromise that might result in severe myelopathy. While the first macroscopic description dates 1890, histologically these tumors where not described as angiolipomas until 1986 by Haddad et al. Occurrence in pregnancy is even more infrequent. Since their first macroscopic description, spinal angiolipomas were reported anecdotally in pregnant women. We present a case of spinal angiolipoma in pregnancy with confirmed histologic diagnosis. In the present paper, we reviewed the literature regarding spinal angiolipomas in order to characterize their clinical manifestation, natural history, radiologic and histologic appearance. We add also a further case of spinal angiolipoma in a pregnant woman. Finally, we provide suggestions for the management of such rare tumors in pregnancy.

Keywords: Epidural neoplasm; Laminectomy; Myelopathy; Pregnancy; Spinal angiolipomas; Thoracic spine.