Neoplasms of the central nervous system of lipoid origin

In general tumours of lipoid origin are benign. A high proportion of cases are mesenchymal neoplasms localised in subcutaneous tissue. Neurological signs related to compression of neural structures by fat within the vertebral canal were first presented in 1975. The lipogenic neoplasms represent 1-4% of spinal tumours, and generally are associated with congenital disorders of the spine. These fatty swellings are usually benign, but penetrating deeply into the spine, and connecting with spinal cord, cauda equina or filium terminale, they produce deficits. The deficits may be present at birth but they may also occur in the middle age. These events are classified as epidural lipomatosis (mostly observed in patients on chronic steroid treatment) or as lipoma, common in spinal disraphism. Intracranial tumours of lipoid origin are very rare (0.06-0.5% of brain tumours), and are probably congenital. They occur anywhere within the cranium, however a high proportion of cases tend to be located around the midline, and approximately 50% of tumours are found in the corpus callosum. Usually they are asymptomatic, and when the symptoms occur, they are frequently a result of general clinical condition. The authors present three cases of lipomatous tumours; one intracranial and two of spinal location.