Key-words:
Bariatric - epidural lipomatosis - obesity - weight loss
Introduction
Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is defined as a deposition of abnormal augmentation
of the adipose tissue in the spinal canal. SEL is classified into idiopathic and secondary
etiologies.[[1]] SEL is often secondary to the local[[2]] or systemic[[1]],[[3]] consumption of steroid and endocrinopathy with raised serum endogenous corticosteroid
as seen in Cushing's syndrome.[[4]] Nonetheless, the absence of steroid use or endocrine disease does not exclude SEL,
and the literature has demonstrated obesity as a predisposing factor with SEL pathophysiology.[[5]] Mechanical compression of the spinal canal by an excessive amount of adipose tissue
can cause spinal stenosis and radicular pain, neurogenic claudication, or cauda equina
symptoms.
Here, we present a case where a patient with morbid obesity presented with bilateral
L5 and S1 radiculopathy due to idiopathic SEL. He had complete resolution of his symptoms
and radiological findings after 2 years of sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Implications of
this are discussed.
Case Report
A 46-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus type 2. He had no history of
steroid intake, epidural steroid injection, or endocrinopathy. The patient presented
to our outpatient department with lumbar pain radiating bilaterally, with an L5 and
S1 distribution. The pain increased progressively his walking distance to 500 m. The
patient required multiple absences from work over a 1-year time interval, causing
significant socioeconomic difficulties. He was following a conservative course of
treatment in another hospital with anti-inflammatory medications, analgesics, and
physiotherapy, but there was no improvement. Then, the patient was referred to our
clinic for a surgical assessment by his family physician. On clinical examination,
he was noted to be morbidly obese (Class III) with a body mass index (BMI) of 48.9
(143 kg; 171 cm), neurological examination demonstrated paresthesias in L5 and S1
dermatomes bilaterally, without focal motor deficits. He denied anal sphincter dysfunction.
He had a normal gait. His lumbar pain was aggravated by palpating the soft-tissues
and the paraspinal musculature of the lumbar region. In addition, Deep reflexes were
2+ at patellar and Achilles tendons bilaterally. The visual analog scale (VAS) of
radicular pain was 7/10.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on October 17, 2016, and showed epidural
lipomatosis at L4, L5, and S1, reaching posteriorly from the L4 vertebral body downward
to L5-S1 intervertebral disc [[Figure 1]].{Figure 1}
Figure 1: (a) Axial T2 images on magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating epidural lipomatosis
at the level of L5-S1. (b) Sagittal T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. (c) Stir
sequence magnetic resonance imaging
The patient was in favor of spinal intervention but conservative was initiated first
as per literature recommendations.[[5]]
Two years after SG, the patient had lost 42 kg of weight with a BMI of 34.5. The patient's
lower extremity radiculopathy had resolved with VAS OF 0 out of 10. MRI follows-up
done on the July 1, 2019 showed that the epidural lipomatosis completely disappeared
[[Figure 2]]. Although the back pain did not resolve due to fatty degeneration of paraspinal
musculature [[Figure 2]]a, the patient started a rehabilitation program to improve his condition.{Figure
2}
Figure 2: (a) Axial T2 images on magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating less epidural lipomatosis
at the level of L5-S1 after 2 years of bariatric surgery. (b) Sagittal T2-weighted
magnetic resonance imaging. (c) Stir sequence magnetic resonance imaging
Discussion
Metabolic syndrome is a huge challenge being encountered all over the world. Contributing
factors to metabolic syndrome include sedentary lifestyle practice, increase consumption
of a high-fat diet, and increase calorie intake in individuals who are suspected to
have a genetic background.[[6]] As per the current literature, obesity is a risk factor for the development of
SEL.[[5]] Fujisawa et al.[[7]] reported one case of young girl with epidural lipomatosis secondary to pituitary
tumors. Less commonly, HIV patients using protease inhibitor treatments have been
described as secondary etiology.[[8]],[[9]] In 1982, Badami and Hinck[[10]] reported the first idiopathic SEL in women with morbid obesity, and in 1991, the
term “idiopathic SEL” was further explained by Haddad et al.[[11]]
Metabolic surgery is a term consisting of many surgical procedures. The most commonly
performed and most popular are SG, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass , and less commonly biliopancreatic
diversion with duodenal switch. In SG, up to 80% of the stomach is removed (mainly
the fundus and the body alongside the arc of greater curvature).[[12]],[[13]] Bariatric surgical procedures exert local and systemic metabolic impact. The study
published by Heffron et al.[[14]] showed a significant improvement in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels after
bariatric surgery compared to non-surgical methods.
Regarding patient demographics, comorbidities, and radiological findings of patients
with SEL, Yildirim et al.[[15]] have reported 130 patients of 199 (66.8%) were male and average age at the time
of diagnosis 54.9 years. High BMI shows statistically significant as comorbidity compared
with the control group (36.7 vs. 29.4 kg/m2, P < 0.001). They found central canal
stenosis in 95.5% of patients diagnosed with SEL. Spinal stenosis associated with
degenerative changes was observed in 85.4% of patients. This is consistent with what
our patient presented with, his age in the 5th decade, his obesity, and his MRI finding
of multilevel degenerative changes. While the quantity of epidural fat (EF) can be
easily evaluated by MRI radiography, the diagnostic criteria of idiopathic SEL need
further carefully designed studies taking into account all the risk factors of this
disorder.
Borré et al.[[16]] designed a four-grading scale for lumbosacral epidural lipomatosis (LEL) by reviewing
a series of 2528 consecutive MRI results. They classified LEL into four grades according
to the degree of lipomatosis seen on MRI in the axial plane [[Table 1]]. Based on the following measures seen in the axial plane of MRI [[Figure 1]]: Anteroposterior width of dural sac (A-Pd DuS), anteroposterior width of the EF
located anteriorly to the dural sac (segment A), anteroposterior width of the EF located
posteriorly to the dural sac (segment B) and finally, anteroposterior width of the
spinal canal (A-Pd Spi C), which is known as the sum of the A-Pd DuS + segments A
and B.{Table 1}
Table 1: The classification of systemic lupus erythematosus based on magnetic resonance imaging
measurements according to Borré
According to the grading scheme of Borré, our aforementioned patient had Grade III
LEL [[Table 2]]. As our patient was symptomatic from the epidural lipomatosis, we managed him conservatively.
Weight reduction has been identified to have a positive impact in the treatment of
obese patients with SEL.[[11]],[[17]],[[18]],[[19]],[[20]],[[21]],[[22]],[[23]],[[24]]{Table 2}
Table 2: Before and after magnetic resonance imaging grading measurements of our case report
according to the Borré classification
The treatment of SEL ranges from conservative management[[11]],[[17]],[[18]],[[19]],[[20]],[[21]],[[22]],[[23]],[[24]],[[25]],[[26]] to surgical excision.[[5]],[[21]],[[25]],[[26]],[[27]] There are many cases reported the resolution of SLE on losing weight either by
a structured weight loss program and/or by the help of bariatric surgery.[[23]],[[28]] The spontaneous accumulation of fat in the epidural space is a dynamic process
and sometimes associated with an increase in the peripheral fat mass.[[28]] Notwithstanding, the published cases of association between the resolution of symptoms
in SEL and weight reduction procedure, the precise mechanisms are not widely understood.
Cornejo-Pareja et al.[[29]] indicated that the mechanism of the effect of bariatric surgery on metabolism is
not completely understood. To date, there are no guidelines for the therapeutic management
of SEL.[[28]] Further studies of a large population are needed to adequately understand the natural
history of this uncommon condition.
In regard to the management of SEL, Al-Khawaja et al.[[5]] made the first review that looked into the characteristics and treatment for 111
cases of SEL (idiopathic vs. secondary) starting from January 1966 to July 2006 using
computerized databases such as Medline, Embase, and PubMed. Overall, this review presents
the results of surgical management were 60% with complete relief of symptoms when
the lesion found in lumber segments in both idiopathic and secondary SEL. In view
of all the aforementioned information, one may suppose that the role of non-surgical
treatment in SEL when it found in lumber segments. To the best of our knowledge, Valcarenghi
et al.[[28]] reported the first case of SEL in the literature with complete resolving of symptoms
after SG. In this case, we reported the second case report of SEL treated non-surgically
with complete clinical and radiological disappearance after SG. However, one feature
makes our case unique within the literature: Persistence of back pain due to fatty
degeneration of paraspinal musculature.
As a whole, our case present with the literature[[28]] highlights an important role for nonsurgical treatment of SEL and the impact of
bariatric surgery on spontaneous resolution of SEL. The aforementioned patient classified
as Grade III epidural lipomatosis and has shown that the importance and benefit of
the Borré classification for knowing the degree of severity of this lesion.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms.
In the form, the patient(s) has given his consent for his images and other clinical
information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names
and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity,
but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
