Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026
07:12
Laminectomy for the Removal of Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum TOLF Using Ultrasonic and Conventional Osteotomes
Published on: April 21, 2023
3.7K
[A Dumbbell-Type Thoracic Spinal Lipoma: A Case Report].
Soichiro Takamiya1, Kazutoshi Hida, Shunsuke Yano
1Department of Neurosurgery, Sapporo Azabu Neurosurgical Hospital.
No Shinkei Geka. Neurological Surgery
|June 9, 2016
Summary
Dumbbell-type spinal lipomas, rare tumors, can cause neurological symptoms. Surgical removal and spinal untethering can alleviate these symptoms, offering a positive prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Oncology
Background:
- Spinal lipomas are rare tumors, comprising <1% of all spinal neoplasms.
- Most spinal lipomas are associated with spinal dysraphism; those without are uncommon.
- Dumbbell-type spinal lipomas extend both within and outside the dura mater.
Observation:
- A male patient in his 50s presented with progressive gait disturbance and sensory deficits in both legs, exacerbated by exercise.
- CT and MRI identified a dumbbell-type thoracic spinal lipoma at the Th 6-8 level, extending from the spinal cord to the intervertebral foramen.
- The patient underwent partial tumor resection and spinal untethering.
Findings:
- Postoperative improvement in neurological symptoms was observed.
- This case highlights the rarity and clinical presentation of dumbbell-type spinal lipomas.
- Surgical intervention, including partial tumor removal and untethering, led to symptom abatement.
Implications:
- Dumbbell-type spinal lipomas require careful surgical consideration due to their complex anatomy.
- Spinal cord untethering is a crucial component of surgical management when spinal cord tethering is present.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate surgical intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes for this rare condition.