Unusual presentation of a giant thoracic spinal cord lipoma

Non-dysraphic intradural spinal cord lipomas are rare, and true intramedullary cervical-thoracic lipomas are extremely rare. Spinal lipomas usually present with chronic, progressive myelopathic features. Unlike dysraphic lipomas, which are usually located in the lumbo-sacral region, non-dysraphic lipomas are usually located in the cervical or thoracic spine.

We present an unusual case of a 21-year-old female who presented with four months of severe back pain, progressive spasticity, and weakness in the lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a T1- and T2-hyperintense lesion between D4 and D6.

This fatty intramedullary lesion had undergone evolution and a possible hemorrhagic infarct and cord compression. The patient underwent an urgent dorsal laminoplasty and total resection of this lesion, which histopathology indicated was a fibrous lipoma. Total resection is possible in such cases if a micro-surgical technique that includes neurophysiological monitoring is used.