RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A rare non-malignant cause of spinal cord compression in a young patient
JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
JO BMJ Support Palliat Care
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 81
OP 83
DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2012-000394
VO 4
IS 1
A1 Joanna Clerici
A1 Sarah MacLaran
YR 2014
UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/4/1/81.abstract
AB In the context of palliative medicine, spinal cord compression occurs in around 5% of patients with cancer. Ten per cent of patients with spinal metastases are affected; the commonest causes are breast, prostate, lung cancer and multiple myeloma. We describe a rare cause of spinal cord compression in a 29-year-old man resulting from a complication of long-term corticosteroid use. Spinal epidural lipomatosis is a complex disorder caused by hypertrophy of adipose tissue located in the spinal epidural space. Symptoms occur when the adipose tissue enlarges, encroaching on the spinal canal. In this case, the aetiology was long-term exogenous dexamethasone use.