[Spinal cord lipoma. Apropos of 3 cases]

Intramedullary lipomas are rare, benign tumors of the spinal cord. (1% of all primitive intramedullary tumors). Three cases are reported in this work. The clinical presentation and neuroradiological findings, specially C.T. scan have led in the three cases to a diagnostic of compressive myelopathy secondary to hypodense process situated intradurally in the cervico-thoracic region. The surgery was limited to decompression with biopsy (in 2 cases) and a partial removal in one case. The histologic examination showed a mature lipoma in the three cases. The evolution was good. The literature review allowed us to know that the opinions about surgical management of these tumors are very different. The operation which is always recommended in the evolving clinical cases is more controversial in other cases. It must be conservative, limited to a partial excision of the tumor, and even to a decompression biopsy when the anatomical conditions make it necessary.