Lumbosacral intramedullary myolipoma. Case report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Intradural myolipomas are rare tumors characterized by mature adipose and skeletal muscle tissue.
• Understanding their behavior and potential for dynamic changes is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Observation:

• A unique case of intradural myolipoma involving both extramedullary and intramedullary components is presented.
• The tumor exhibited gross contraction when subjected to electrical stimulation.

Findings:

• The presence of extramedullary and intramedullary striated muscle fibers within the lipomatous tumor was identified as the cause of contraction.
• Both the lipomatous tumor and the adjacent spinal cord showed contractile responses.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates the potential for functional and dynamic changes in spinal cord tumors.
• It underscores the importance of considering the contractile properties of tumor components in surgical planning and neurological assessment.
• Further research into the cellular mechanisms of myolipoma contraction may offer new therapeutic insights.