Symptomatic Idiopathic Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis in 9 Patients: Clinical, Radiologic, and Pathogenetic Features.

Background: Symptomatic spinal epidural lipomatosis (SSEL) is characterized by hypertrophy of adipose tissue within the spinal canal and consequent neural compromise. The exact pathogenesis remains enigmatic. The authors describe a retrospective case series, define the full clinical spectrum, and discuss possible pathogenetic mechanisms.