[Corticosteroid-induced epidural lipomatosis]

Abstract

Epidural lipomatosis is a rare disease, most often associated with chronic administration of exogenous steroids. We report the case of a 69-year-old man treated with 20mg prednisolone daily for 11 years because of polyarthritis. The patient complained of back pain associated with severe weakness of his lower limbs and brisk reflexes, with a progressive onset over one year. MRI showed epidural lipomatosis narrowing the epidural spaces from T-3 to T-10. Tapering of steroids was associated with slow but positive resolution of his symptoms.