A Case of Thoracic Epidural Angiolipoma Causing Severe Spinal Cord Compression With Neurologic Manifestations

A spinal epidural angiolipoma is a rare, benign tumor of adipocytes and blood vessels that accounts only for a small percentage of all spinal axis tumors. We report a case of a 44-year-old male who presented with three months of progressive decreased sensation and strength from about six cm above the umbilicus down to his feet bilaterally. He presented to the emergency room when he could no longer walk. He also had neurogenic urinary retention and likely neurogenic constipation. Physical exam was notable for decreased sensation, decreased strength, and increased patellar reflexes bilaterally. MRI of the thoracic spine showed a posterior epidural mass that spanned from T2 to T3, measuring 1.2 x 1.7 x 4.3 cm, and severely compressed the spinal cord posteriorly. The patient underwent an urgent laminectomy for decompression and mass resection. Pathology was consistent with an angiolipoma. Postoperatively, he experienced a drastic improvement in strength and gross motor skills. The sensation had a partial return following surgery and continued to improve over the hospital stay. In general, the literature reports significant symptomatic improvement in patients with spinal epidural angiolipomas after surgical resection.