Is epidural lipomatosis associated with abnormality of body fat distribution? A case report.

Abstract

CASE REPORT:

To report a case of epidural lipomatosis in a patient with abnormal adipose tissue distribution, glucose intolerance and mixed hyperlipidemia. A 63-year-old male patient presented with low back pain radiating to the left calf on standing and walking (walking distance <100 m). He weighed 97.5 kg, was 1.73 m tall (BMI 32.6 kg/m2) and had a waist circumference of 113 cm. He had a glucose intolerance after a 75-g glucose oral load test. CT-Myelography revealed voluminous epidural lipomatosis around L4-L5 and L5-S1. Low calorie diet and reduction in alcohol intake achieved a weight loss of 17.5 kg in 7 months (80 kg, BMI 25.8 kg/m2, waist circumference 94 cm) and dramatic improvement in low back pain, walking distance (>500 m) and reduction of lipomatosis on CT-scan. Our case suggests a relationship between central obesity phenotype and epidural lipomatosis. Specific insulin resistance treatment might be proposed for these patients if this hypothesis is confirmed in further studies.

• Authors: François Maillot, Denis Mulleman, Saloua Mammou, Philippe Goupille, Jean-Pierre Valat
• Journal: European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society (Eur Spine J) Vol. 15 Issue 1 Pg. 105-8 (Jan 2006) ISSN: 0940-6719 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 16007467 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Body Fat Distribution (adverse effects)
• Chronic Disease
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Epidural Space
• Follow-Up Studies
• Glucose Intolerance
• Humans
• Hyperlipidemias (diagnosis, therapy)
• Lipomatosis (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Low Back Pain
• Lumbar Vertebrae
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myelography
• Risk Assessment
• Severity of Illness Index
• Spinal Cord Diseases (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)