The first-line treatment for idiopathic epidural lipomatosis has been
weight loss and exercise therapy
. Conservative therapy involves the discontinuation of steroid treatment and weight loss in those with exposure to exogenous steroids and in obese patients, respectively.
What causes epidural fat?
Exogenous steroid use
is the most common cause of epidural lipomatosis (non-neoplastic overgrowth of adipose tissue within the epidural space of spinal canal[1]) and accounts for about 55% of cases. [2] The less common causes are obesity (25%), Cushing’s syndrome (3%) and idiopathic (17%).
Is epidural fat good for you?
Increased epidural fat may help explain better function among older adults with
chronic axial back pain
, but not among those who also report leg pain.
Is epidural fat normal?
Fat tissue is normally present between the
vascular, neural and ligamentous structures
of the epidural space. In the large majority of individuals, the amount of fat tissue within the epidural space does not appreciably change with age, or as the individual becomes obese or underweight.
What does effacement of epidural fat mean?
Epidural lipomatosis refers to
an excessive accumulation of fat within the spinal epidural space
Is epidural lipomatosis a disability?
Conclusions: LEL can influence the quality of life dramatically and cause a
high degree
of disability. A surgical decompression is a safe and effective procedure with a good clinical outcome comparable to the results in patients with an osteoligamentous spinal stenosis.
Is epidural lipomatosis rare?
Epidural lipomatosis is a
rare disorder
in which an abnormal amount of fat is deposited on or outside the lining of the spine. It may press on the spinal cord and nerves.
Is epidural lipomatosis a tumor?
Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is
an abnormal localized accumulation of fat tissues in the epidural space
. It is strongly related with steroid administration. The symptoms of SEL are various and range from back pain to paraplegia. In severe cases, decompressive laminectomy is the choice of treatment.
Is there fat in the epidural space?
Conclusions: The epidural space
contains abundant epidural fat
that distributes along the spinal canal in a predictable pattern. Fat cells are also abundant in the dura that forms the sleeves around spinal nerve roots but they are not embedded within the laminas that form the dura mater of the dural sac
How thick is the epidural space?
The actual size of epidural space varies greatly. The distance from the skin to the epidural space in normal adults usually ranges from 3 to 5 cm. In the mid-lumbar region, the depth of the posterior epidural space is
about 5 to 6 mm
, and it gradually decreases to 2 mm at the S1 level.
What kind of pain does spinal stenosis cause?
Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spaces in your spine, can compress your spinal cord and nerve roots exiting each vertebrae. Age-related changes in your spine is a common cause. Symptoms include
back and/or neck pain
, and numbness, tingling and weakness in your arms and legs.
What is in the epidural?
Typically, an epidural injection includes a corticosteroid, such as
methylprednisolone, betamethasone, or triamcinolone
, plus a small amount of a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine or bupivacaine.
What does it mean if your cervix is effaced?
Effacement means
that the cervix stretches and gets thinner
. Dilatation means that the cervix opens. As labor nears, the cervix may start to thin or stretch (efface) and open (dilate). This prepares the cervix for the baby to pass through the birth canal (vagina).
How common is epidural lipomatosis?
Discussion. Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is a
rare condition
. A literature review revealed 49 cases of idiopathic SEL and 62 cases of secondary SEL [1]. SEL is defined as a pathological overgrowth of normal fat tissue in the extradural space.
What does lipomatosis mean?
Lipomatosis,
multiple symmetric
: A disorder characterized by painless symmetrical diffuse deposits of fat beneath the skin of the neck, upper trunk, arms and legs. The condition is thought to be genetic although its exact mode of inheritance is uncertain. It may be a mitochondrial DNA disease.
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda equina syndrome occurs
when the nerve roots in the lumbar spine are compressed, cutting off sensation and movement
. Nerve roots that control the function of the bladder and bowel are especially vulnerable to damage.
