Clinical features and surgical outcomes of spinal epidural angiolipomas

To discuss the clinical features and surgical outcomes of spinal epidural angiolipomas. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients with spinal epidural angiolipomas who were performed microsurgery between January 2003 and December 2017. The diagnosis of spinal angiolipomas was based on pathological criteria. Modified McCormick classification was applied to evaluate neurological function. There were 11 females and 9 males with ages ranged from 38 to 74 years. Fourteen lesions were located in the thoracic region, 4 in the lumbar, 1 in the lumbosacral, and 1 in the thoracolumbar region. Patients presented with nonspecific symptoms and the duration of symptoms ranged from 1 to 168 months with a mean 21.3 months. 11 cases exhibited isointense on T1-weighted imaging(T1WI) and hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging(T2WI). The other 9 cases exhibited hyperintense on T1WI and T2WI imaging. Gross total resection (GTR) was performed in 19 patients, and subtotal resection (STR) was performed in 1 patient. Postoperatively, all patients showed a recovery or improvement of neurological functions except the STR patient. There was no recurrence or regrowth of the residual lesions observed on magnetic resonance images (MRI). Usually, spinal epidural angiolipomas have two types of MRI manifestations depending on the ratio of fat to vessels. Total resection of spinal epidural angiolipoma is possible regardless of it is infiltrative or not. Postoperative radiotherapy is not recommended for subtotal resection patients. A favorable functional outcome can be expected if the patient performed early surgery.