Spinal epidural lipomatosis causing compressive radiculopathy. A literature review and a clinical case of surgical treatment

The aim of the study is to describe a clinical case of successful surgical treatment of epidural drainage lipomatosis at the lumbar spine level. Materials and methods. A patient with a clinical picture of radicular pain in his left leg was being treated at the university clinic of the Russian University of Medicine. The source of pain was determined by MRI — hypertrophied epidural adipose tissue, causing compression of the left spinal root S1. Results. The patient underwent surgical treatment through a posterior L5‑S1 interlaminotomy on the left, hypertrophied epidural fat was removed, and compression of the left spinal root S1 was eliminated. After the operation, the patient noted a complete regression of radicular pain in his left leg. Conclusion. Epidural lipomatosis is a rare cause of compression radiculopathy. In this case, surgical removal of hypertrophied epidural fat makes it possible to effectively relieve radicular symptoms.