Intramedullary spinal cord astrolipoma: case report.

Abstract

Reported is a case of a thoracic intramedullary astrocytoma with a lipomatous component, a so-called astrolipoma. This is the only known case of a single intraspinal astrolipoma in an otherwise healthy patient. The patient was a 36-year-old woman with dorsal thoracic pain of more than 1 month's duration, mild lower extremity weakness, and incomplete sensory loss to the T10 level. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracolumbar spine revealed a fusiform mass at the T9-T11 level. The patient underwent T9-T11 laminectomies and complete resection of the tumor. In the initial postoperative period, the patient's symptoms worsened. However, 3 months after surgery, the patient was clinically improved and was able to walk without assistance. Twelve months after surgery, imaging revealed no evidence of tumor. The current treatment plan and recommendation, assuming this tumor will behave like a low-grade glioma or lipoma, is continued radiographic surveillance after gross total resection. Reresection is recommended for tumor recurrence or significant regrowth. The long-term prognosis for astrolipoma is unknown.