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Lumbosacral Epidural Lipomatosis: A Retrospective Matched Case-Control Database Study
Baris Yildirim1, Varun Puvanesarajah2, Howard S An3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
World Neurosurgery
|September 10, 2016
Summary
Epidural lipomatosis (EL) patients are often obese men with type 2 diabetes and a history of smoking. This suggests EL may be linked to metabolic syndrome, warranting further research into its causes and treatments.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Epidural lipomatosis (EL) is characterized by excessive epidural fat deposition.
- The demographic and clinical characteristics of EL patients are not well-defined.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for diagnosing EL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the demographics and clinical symptoms of patients with epidural lipomatosis (EL).
- To compare these characteristics against a matched control group using MRI data.
- To present the largest known consecutive series of EL patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients undergoing lumbar MRI between 2010 and 2015.
- Inclusion criteria: diagnosis of EL on radiologic note.
- A cohort of 199 EL patients was matched with 199 controls without lumbosacral EL.
Main Results:
- The average age at diagnosis was 54.9 years, with 66.8% being male.
- EL patients showed higher rates of smoking, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and disability.
- EL patients had significantly higher median body mass index (36.7 kg/m² vs. 29.4 kg/m²).
Conclusions:
- Lumbosacral EL is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- These findings suggest EL may be a consequence of metabolic syndrome.
- Future research should explore EL pathogenesis and treatment outcomes.
