Dumbbell-shaped angiolipoma at the lumbar spine

Angiolipomas in the lumbar spine are rare, with only a few reported cases presenting in a dumbbell shape. We report a case of a dumbbell-shaped lumbar angiolipoma extending not only into the spinal canal and the intervertebral foramen but also extensively into the iliopsoas muscle. A male patient in his early 60s, presenting with an 8-month history of low back pain and bilateral lower extremity pain, was referred to our department for treatment. MRI revealed a large dumbbell-shaped tumour located around the L2/3 spinal canal and extending into the left iliopsoas muscle. Angiolipoma was suspected, and preoperative embolisation followed by surgery using both anterior and posterior approaches was performed. Complete resection was achieved, and the patient's pain significantly improved without major postoperative complications. This surgical procedure may be considered an effective approach for the resection of dumbbell-shaped angiolipomas with extensive extraforaminal distribution.