Vertebral Canal Invasion of Cervical Lipoblastoma in Childhood: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Lipoblastoma is a benign tumor that originates in the embryonal fat. This tumor can arise from various anatomical sites such as the extremities, trunk, and neck, but it rarely invades the spinal canal. Case Presentation: We describe a 3-year-old girl with a dumbbell-shaped lipoblastoma that extended into the cervical spine. Although she had no neurological deficit, we performed semi-total resection for decompression to the cord and avoid torticollis. Although a residual tumor was present, she recovered well and developed no neurological sequelae. We have selected a wait-and-see strategy for the residual tumor. She is now well-being more than four-years after the surgery. Conclusions: Early surgical intervention and decompression of the tumor was effective to avoid neurological defects.