Case Report: Spinal epidural lipomatosis with incomplete cauda equina syndrome treated with unilateral biportal endoscopic technique

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) involves the aberrant growth of normal adipose tissue in the spinal canal. It lacks of distinctive clinical manifestations. However, it can infrequently present as incomplete cauda equina syndrome (CES), a condition necessitating urgent surgical intervention. We present a case of SEL primarily manifesting as acute incomplete CES. The patient underwent unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) spinal canal decompression and adipose tissue excision. This procedure led to satisfactory postoperative neurological improvement. This case underscores the efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy as a viable minimally invasive surgical approach for SEL when accompanied by incomplete CES.