Glucocorticoid-induced spinal epidural lipomatosis

Spinal epidural lipomatosis is an uncommon condition in which unencapsulate d fat accumulates within the epidural space, We report a case in a 74-year- old obese patient who had been taking prednisone (10 to 20 mg per day) for 3 years to treat pseudomyalgia rheumatica. Intermittent radicular claudicat ion and low back pain were the presenting symptoms. Magnetic resonance imag ing showed epidural lipomatosis extending from L2 to S1. Spinal epidural li pomatosis is probably an underdiagnosed complication of long-term glucocort icoid therapy. Cases diagnosed early can be managed conservatively, whereas later on major surgery is unavoidable. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.