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Volume-12 Number-2, 2025 / Case Report

Infantile Presentation of Lipomyelocele: A Rare Case with MRI–Histopathology Correlation

Author:
Mehnaz Khan
Department of Pathology, Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India- 226003
Nishi Tandon
Department of Pathology, Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India- 226003
Nirupma Lal
Department of Pathology, Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India- 226003
Andleeb Zehra
Department of Pathology, Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India- 226003
Sidrah Fatima
Department of Pathology, Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India- 226003
Priyesh Srivastava
Department of Pathology, Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India- 226003
Abstract:
Background: A lipomatous mass that grows into the spinal canal and tethers the spinal cord is known as lipomyelocoele, a rare form of closed spinal disorder.  Early detection is crucial to preventing progressive neurological impairment.
Case Summary: We present a case of a 4-month-old girl who, upon clinical examination, had a congenital lumbosacral swelling that was soft, mobile, and non-tender.  A low-lying tethered cord that extends to the L5–S1 level was identified by an MRI.  This cord was associated with spina bifida and the herniation of intact covered with skin neural components.  Surgical excision was carried out on the patient.  Histopathology confirmed the lipomyelocoele diagnosis.
Discussion:   It helps to distinguish lipomyelocoele from dermoid/epidermoid cysts, myelomeningocele, and lipomyelomeningocele.   Those having open neural tube defects, the lesion is covered in skin and does not have significant quantity of CSF.   Rapid surgical intervention decreases neurological complications, and histopathology and MRI together are diagnostic.
Conclusion: This study highlightds how essential it is to mix pathological, radiological, and clinical findings because diagnosing lipomyelocoele.  By decreasing complications related to tethered cords, early surgical intervention offers a favorable prognosis.
Keywords:
Spinal developmental disorders, Lipomyelocoele, Spina bifida, Tethered cord, Paediatric neurosurgery.

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Copyright (c) 2026 Era's Journal of Medical Research

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Download PDF View in DOI 10.24041/ejmr.2025.32