A case of spinal epidural lipomatosis presenting as a stroke mimic

Here we present the case of a patient with right upper extremity and right lower extremity weakness of a three-day duration, which triggered a stroke evaluation. Ultimately, the diagnosis of spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) was made. Non-stroke diagnoses that present with stroke-like symptoms are referred to in the medical literature as stroke mimics. Such cases present with neurological deficits that imitate acute ischemic stroke. The frequency of such presentations occurs in up to 30% of initially suspected stroke. This case illustrates that SEL can present as a stroke mimic. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a presentation in the medical literature of SEL as a stroke mimic.