Patient Data
Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.
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Non contrast CT of the lumbar spine demonstrates a strip of fat density located within the dura and extending from the superior aspect of L2 to L3/4. Degenerative disc change at L3/4 is present with marked disc height loss and end plate sclerosis.
On these images the location of the conus cannot be identified, but can be assumed to be at or above the level of L1/2.
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MRI confirms the presence of fatty tissue (high T1, high T2, suppresses on fat saturated sequences) extending from the conus to at least L5. The conus is located at L1/2 and is normal in appearance.
Degenerative change is noted once more.
Case Discussion
This case is typical of incidentally identified lipoma of the filum terminale in a patient symptomatic from degenerative change. The absence of a low lying conus and relatively thin filum (<2mm at the level of L5/S1) further suggests that this is an incidental asymptomatic finding.