Congenital intraspinal lipomas: Histological analysis of 234 cases and review of the literature

The clinical, radiologic, and pathologic data from a series of 234 patients hospitalized in the Pediatric Neurosurgical Department of the Necker-Enfan ts Malades Hospital, Paris, for congenital intraspinal lipomas and operated on from 1976 to 1995 were examined. Histological studies showed that these lesions may be simple lipomas, similar to those developing elsewhere in th e body, or they may be more complex forms including in addition to the lipo matous component a variety of unusual ectopic tissues of ectodermal, mesode rmal, and/or endodermal origin. These complex forms indicate the malformati ve nature of these tumors. When they contain elements that are truly foreig n to the region, the possibility of teratoma with a tumoral potential shoul d be considered. Data found in the literature and from Necker-Enfants Malad es Hospital are discussed.