Idiopathic spinal extradural lipomas: three cases and review of the literature.

Three cases of extradural spinal lipomas in adults are described in which there was no association with steroids. In all three cases the tumors were situated in the lumbar region and the patients were muscular, nonobese males. Two of the three cases had long histories contrary to those previously reported. Preceding transient neurological symptoms were noted in two of the three cases. The etiology of this phenomenon is discussed. It is possible that these lipomas, which are not associated with steroids, may represent a different spectrum of disease.