Spinal Angiolipoma
R Koul, A Dubey
Hong Kong J Radiol 2009;12:20-3
Spinal angiolipomas are rare benign tumours composed of mature lipocytes admixed with abnormal blood vessels. Spinal angiolipomas account for 0.14% to 1.20% of all spinal axis tumours and 2% to 3% of extradural spinal tumours. Extradural tumours usually predominate. Spinal angiolipomas commonly present with pain at the local site, spastic or peripheral paraparesis of the lower extremities, paraesthesia, and impaired sensitivity. This report describes a 58-yearold otherwise healthy man with spinal angiolipoma, who presented with chronic epigastric pain for 3 years and sudden onset of acute myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a space-occupying lesion at T7, T8, and T9. The lesion was posterior in location, and spindle in shape, measuring 6.5 cm in length. Laminectomy was performed, with gross total resection of the mass. Pathology was consistent with angiolipoma. Follow-up scan at 1 year did not show any evidence of recurrent tumour.