Four cases of spinal intradural lipomas are reported. The rarity of these tumors is confirmed by the small number of cases reported in the medical literature, represented by 1 or 2% of the spinal tumors. In the Neurological Clinic of the University of São Paulo Medical School, in a total of 165 intraspinal tumors which were operated on between 1945 to 1964, the incidence was 2.4%. The clinical and histopathological data, as well as the paraclinical tests, are analysed. The surgical technique is discussed, the authors drawing the conclusion that the results are poorly rewarding.