Subpial Spinal Lipoma: Surgery with Intraoperative Monitoring of Neural Function and Review of Literature

Abstract

Intradural spinal lipomas not associated with congenital dysraphism and malformations, are rare and benign slow growing tumors, representing about 1% of all spinal tumors. We report two cases both of a 59 years-old women complaining of gait difficulties, progressive para-paresis and long history of back pain with a magnetic resonance imaging suggestive for a subpial spinal lipoma with compression of posterior aspect of spinal cord from T1 to T3 and cono-cauda. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the technique of resection of this type of lesions and to emphasize the role of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in order to perform a safer surgery and to objectively establish its end with an extensive review of the literature focused on this aspect.