Lipoma
What is it?
A lipoma is a round shaped mass of tissue formed of fat. These benign tumors can form anywhere on the body.
A spinal lipoma is a tumor composed of fatty tissue that forms in the spinal area. It is typically a slow-growing mass that can occur within the spinal canal or in the surrounding soft tissues of the spine. Spinal cord lipomas can appear as a little fatty tumor linked to the spinal cord or as complicated as malformations affecting all spinal systems. Lipomas can be located in different regions of the spine, including the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar areas.
Lipomas come in a variety of types. The way tissue looks under a microscope helps doctors differentiate between different types of these tumors, but they all present a similar clinical picture.
Symptoms
Lipomas in the spine typically present as soft, rubbery masses that can appear beneath the skin or within deeper layers. They are usually painless and slow-growing. Depending on their location and size, lipomas in the spine may cause symptoms such as back pain, stiffness, or neurological complications if they compress nearby nerves or the spinal cord.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of a spinal lipoma often involves a combination of medical history review, physical examination, and imaging tests. Imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), or CT (Computed Tomography) scans can help visualize the lipoma and assess its location, size, and impact on surrounding structures.
Treatment
In many cases, lipomas in the spine are asymptomatic and do not require immediate intervention. However, doctors will recommend surgical removal when lipoma compress nerves or spinal cord, leading to neurological symptoms or complications. Also, when lipomas cause cosmetic issues, doctors will consider removing them, particularly if they affect a person’s self-esteem or quality of life.
One method is to squeeze out the fat inside the tumor through a small incision in the skin. Patients are usually under local anesthesia during this procedure and go home the same day. If there is a large lipoma, surgeon may need to make a larger incision to completely remove it. Doctors can also remove these tumors by liposuction. To do this, the doctor must cut the lump and insert a thin, hollow tube through the incision. A tube is then used to suck most of the fat cells out of the tumor’s body.