Extradural angiolipoma of the thoracic spine: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Spinal angiolipomas (SA) are rare primary tumors accounting for 0.14-1.2% of all spinal cord and spine tumors and approximately 3% of extradural spinal neoplasms (<0.1% of all primary CNS tumors). Histologically, SA consists of mature adipocytes and abnormally developed vessels. Clinical presentation of this tumor is due to severe spinal cord compression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors present a 33-year-old patient with severe spinal cord compression who underwent resection of Th6-Th8 spinal angiolipoma. The Pubmed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and eLibrary databases were screened using appropriate keywords. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Extradural tumor > 5 cm causing severe dural sac compression was excised. In early postoperative period, there were complete regression of preoperative lower spastic paraparesis and gait improvement. CONCLUSION: SAs are extremely rare, and their total resection with preservation or improvement of neurological status is possible in a specialized hospital.