Thoracic spinal angiomyolipoma: case report from an Ethiopian neurosurgical teaching hospital. Illustrative case

Abstract

BACKGROUND Angiomyolipoma (AML) of the spine is a rare benign neoplasm (accounting for 0.14%–1.2% of all spine tumors) that is often described along with angiolipoma because of their similarities. They occur almost exclusively in the extradural space, with the thoracic spine being the commonest level. OBSERVATIONS The authors present the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of an extremely rare case of thoracic spine AML in a 47-year-old male patient. The patient underwent laminectomy and gross total resection of the tumor and had an excellent immediate postoperative neurological recovery and long-term functional neurological outcome. LESSONS It is always wise to consider rare benign spinal epidural neoplasms such as spinal AMLs in the differential diagnosis of spinal epidural mass, despite metastasis being the commonest epidural tumor with variable modes of treatment, because the management of benign spinal epidural masses such as spine AML is always surgical and associated with an excellent long-term outcome.

Thoracic Spinal Angiolipoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…Total resection is the treatment of choice. Most patients of surgically removed SAL are relieved of neurologic symptoms 1,4,8,18,19,21,22,42,43) .…”

“…Spinal angiolipoma (SAL) occurs in approximately 0.04% to 1.2% of all spinal tumors 17,23,28,30,32,37) . SAL is a benign tumor made up of adipose tissues and vasculature 1,16,22,23,[27][28][29][30]32,34,35,38,39,42) . Although the tumor is usually found within the thoracic epidural space, SAL is sometimes found within the lumbar epidural space.…”