Epidural lipomatosis

Case contributed by Matthew Lukies
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Worsening chronic lower back pain.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Male
mri

Narrowing of the dural sac due to excessive fat (T1 & T2 high signal) within the extradural space from L4-S1 levels.

Narrow posterior disc bulges at L4/5 and L5/S1. Left L5/S1 facet joint arthropathy causing mild compression of the left L5 nerve root.

Case Discussion

This case demonstrates typical features of epidural lipomatosis on MRI. If a fat suppression sequence was performed, the epidural excessive fat in the epidural space would demonstrate suppression.

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