[Compressive extradural lipomatosis as an unusual complication of corticosteroid therapy: one case (author's transl)].

In a 43 year old man we reported a spinal cord compression by extradural lipomatosis associated with long term corticosteroid therapy for periarteritis nodosa. Decompressive surgery at the 16th month of corticosteroid treatment resulted in regression of symptoms and signs. Corticosteroid therapy was felt to be responsible for this neurological complication, which is unknown in periarteritis nodosa, but has been seen in association with intraspinal lipomas.