Spinal Intramedullary Lipoma: A Rare Cause of Rapidly Progressive

Spinal intramedullary lipoma is a rare lesion accounting for 1% of all spinal masses and 2% of intramedullary tumours [1]. These lesions are commonly associated with spinal dysraphism [2]. The usual location of spinal lipoma is in the cervico-thoracic region [3]. Spinal intramedullary lipomas without spinal dysraphism are very rare and present in only 1% of patients [1,2]. Though CO2 laser and sonographic aspiration are known to reduce intraoperative damage to the cord and recommended prophylactic intervention in selected asymptomatic patients [4], treatment of intramedullary lipoma is controversial and surgical decompression is indicated for symptomatic lipomas [1]. Surgical intervention in symptomatic patients may lead to significant residual disability [4].