Lipoma? Help Please?

[KBodine]

When I was very young I had a lump start growing on my back. I never though twice about it till about two moths ago when I turned 26.  I've been having severe back pain, headaches, fatigue, and leg pain for about a year and a half and went to a neurologist for the headaches who put me on antidepressants and a chiropractor for my back. My legs occasionally shake and I void about 15 times a day. When I work out my toes become numb and tingly. I’ve repeatedly gone to the Dr and still nothing. I finally decided to have the lump looked at and my mom told me it was called a lipoma. I went to a dermatologist who sent me for an MRI. The dermatologist didn’t even look at the MRI. He read the report and said it’s just a lipoma sitting on my back but too deep for him to do surgery on. I just didn’t feel comfortable with his answer. I can't get anyone else to give me a straight answer of what it says:

There is a linear area of fatty signal along the dorsal aspect of the canal thickening at the superior aspect of L1 and extending to the mid L2 level consistent with a lipoma of the filum terminale. This measures 0.4cm in max transverse dimension and 3.7 cm in length. The superior aspect extends along the dorsal aspect of the distal cord. The distal cord is in normal signal. L1-L2. There is an incomplete fusion of the posterior elements of the L4 vertebral body consistent with spinal dysraphism. There is an adjacent area of linear low T1 signal within the subcutaneous fat. Findings may be related to a small residual dermal sinus tract.

The alignment of the lumbar spine is normal. The vertebral body heights and disc space heights are maintained. There is no canal stenosis. There are small hemangiomas within L4.

Impression:
1. Lipoma of the filum terminale visualized at L1 and L2. The conus medullaris is in normal position.
2. Spinal dysraphism at L4 with a small linear area of low signal in the adjacent subcutaneous fat possibly related to a small dermal sinus.

What is going on? Is it just below the skin level or is it in the actual filum terminale or spinal cord. I can’t really find any information on it. Everything I research comes up with articles on OSD, spinal bifida occulta, or tethered cord syndrome. Is it related? I can't even figure out what kind of doctor to go see. Is this something I should be worried about and keep perusing or am I just driving myself crazy.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

Based on the reports you have posted, the lipoma appears to be directly associated with the filum terminale. This is the end portion of the spinal cord. The presence of this fatty growth may help explain your symptoms of backaches, numbness and tingling. I suggest that you have this assessed by a neurosurgeon. A complete neurological examination may be needed. This appears to be a neurological case. A neurologist and neurosurgeon may help you. Bring your results when getting a consult with the specialist. It is best to have a second opinion on this.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

I totally agree with what Dr Vanessa has just said here. However, since I knew a good research article on this, I just had to post it here. You can copy and paste this link in your browser window and read from it: http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/foc.2001.10.1.4

I hope this will help you. Please write back to Dr Vanessa who i am sure would be glad to help you

[KBodine]

Thank you so much for your help! I made an appointment on Monday with a neurosurgeon. I'll keep you posted.

[KBodine]

Thank you for the article it was very helpful. Like I told Vanessa I made an appointment with a neurosurgeon on Monday. Thank you for your help.