[Epidural angiolipoma: a rare and curable cause of spinal cord compression]

A 48-year-old female developed a slowly progressive paraparesis due to a posterior epidural mass extended on several thoracic segments. Clinical and myelographic appearance was strongly in favour of metastasis, the most common tumors in the spinal epidural space. A laminectomy was carried out and disclosed an encapsulated epidural tumor which was loosely adherent to the dura matter. Histological features were those of an angiolipoma. A brief review of clinical and pathological characteristics of spinal lipomas is performed. Extradural spinal angiolipomas are unusual benign neoplasms. The results of surgical treatment in this location are mostly excellent.