Clinical Recognition of Spinal Lipoma and Surgical Treatment in Our Patient Cohort

Czech version

Authors: J. Chochol ¹; M. Smrek ¹; P. Bartoň ²; P. Sýkora ³; M. Kabát ¹; J. Chochol ⁴; D. Dúbravová ¹; E. Štefánková ¹; L. Zábojníková ¹; J. Trnka ¹; F. Horn ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Klinika detskej chirurgie LF UK a DFNsP Bratislava ¹; Klinika detskej urológie LF UK a DFNsP Bratislava ²; Klinika detskej neurológie LF UK a DFNsP Bratislava ³; Neurochirurgická klinika LF UK a UN Bratislava ⁴
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2016; 79/112(2): 207-212
Category: Short Communication

Overview

Aim:
To introduce the topic of spinal lipoma. To evaluate neurological and urodynamic status before and after surgery in a cohort of patients. To evaluate benefits of prophylactic performance or patient observation.

Methods:
Authors present a retrospective study pf a set of 25 patients with spinal lipoma in the lumbosacral region. The patients were examined at the Department of Paediatric Surgery at DFNsP Bratislava within three years. The data from the cohort were statistically processed and neurological and urodynamic states evaluated.

Outcomes:
Our set consisted of 25 patients, 14 girls and 11 boys. 22 patients had surgery. Twenty one children had one surgery, and one girl had three surgeries due to worsening of neurological function. Neurological status of two patients worsened and improved in four patients. Neurological deficit completely ceased in six patients, another six patients had no changes, and four patients remained asymptomatic. Urological status was asymptomatic in eleven patients, it improved in six and remained unchanged in five patients. Urological status did not worsen in any patient.

Conclusion:
Due to diverse treatment modalities available, spinal lipomas are a controversial group of congenital diseases of the spine and spinal cord. Despite a surgical intervention, the status of some patients deteriorates. Our set of patients is too small to conclude. Nevertheless, it seems that prophylactic intervention can be suggested to younger children.

Key words:
spina bifida – spinal lipoma – filum terminale – spinal cone tethered cord

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE “uniform requirements” for biomedical papers.

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