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Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Steroid-induced Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis after Suprasella Tumor Resection
Si On Kim1, Keuk Kyu Park2, Young Jun Kwon2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. ; Department of Medicine, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is an abnormal localized accumulation of fat tissues in the epidural space. It is strongly related with steroid administration. The symptoms of SEL are various and range from back pain to paraplegia. In severe cases, decompressive laminectomy is the choice of treatment. A 32-year-old woman who had been under long-term steroid administration after suprasellar tumor resection was admitted for both leg radiating pain and weakness. She was diagnosed with SEL and had a decompressive laminectomy. During the operation, we found the nerve roots were compressed by epidural fat tissues and engorged vessels. After the operation, her radiating pain was relieved and motor weakness was improved.
