Lipoma Removal: Q&A
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Any Risk of Nerve Damage with Lipoma Removal Near Spine?
I have a lipoma located on the left side of my mid back, the edge of it just touches my spine. It is between 2.5 -3 inches in diameter and is relatively flat (about 0.5 inch in thickness). Is there any risk of nerve damage if I have it removed? Can you recommend any good doctors in New York City that can handle these types of operations safely?
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5 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
CuriousInNY
in New York City
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Spine mass
Any mass or soft tissue tumor located near the spine must be proven not to be a meningomyelocele or an AVM prior to surgical excision. Most are very easily detected on physical exam. if unsure a mri or ct can be order. An Mri would show you better resolution but a ct would show you grossly whether the tumor involves the spine or not.
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Risk of nerve damage from lipoma removal
A lipoma is a superficial collection of normal fat cells which are growing too fast, thus creating a lump. Removing a lipoma will damage the nerves in the skin next to it, and you will have skin numbness for a few months.
I agree, however, with the other surgeons, the importance of making sure this is a lipoma. A lipoma is superficial and easily mobile. If there is ANY suspicion, an MRI is required to evaluate the mass.
Best of luck.
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No risk of nerve damage for lipoma removal.
Hi.
If it is really a lipoma, removing it is simple and safe. But as the other doctors say, you really need to be sure it isn't a more complicated problem.
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Management of a Tumor (?Lipoma) close to Spine
I agree with Dr. Placik. Whenever we have tumors close to the midline, be it the spine, or the face, a surgeon needs to be very careful to determine the identity of the tumor he is operating on. Some could be extensions of the spinal cord or brain masquerading as a lipoma. A MRI would clearly demonstrate any deep connections and make surgery much safer.
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Tumors of the back may extend to the spine.
Yes it is possible that you have a tumor that extends to the spine. I am not sure how you know that this is a lipoma as it could be another tumor such as a vascular malformation. In this case Cobb's Syndrome is one possible diagnosis. In some cases, an MRI may be indicated to further evaluate or distinguish the nature of the tumor.
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