Minimally Invasive Selective Decompression for Sagittal Malalignment due to Steroid-Induced Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis
Abstract
CASE: Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is the epidural accumulation of adipose tissue, sometimes associated with steroid use. There are limited reported cases of pediatric SEL. The purpose of this case report was to describe a 15-year-old girl with severe sagittal malalignment secondary to steroid-induced SEL associated with cardiac transplant rejection immunotherapy. She underwent multilevel decompression without traditional deformity correction and fusion, which improved her spinal deformity and symptoms. She had improved sagittal alignment and clinical outcomes at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Nonstructural spinal deformities due to SEL can be improved with a limited decompression when nonoperative treatment fails.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Spinal Hematomas and Complications
Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology
Scoliosis diagnosis and treatment
Publication details
- Journal / source
- JBJS Case Connector
- Publisher
- Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 1
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN