An atypical presentation of pediatric malignant spinal cord compression
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v33.i2.28489Keywords:
neurology, oncology, pediatric, spinal cord compressionAbstract
Background: Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a rare but serious complication of pediatric malignancies that can result in permanent neurologic deficits. The prognosis depends on neurological symptoms at diagnosis.
Case report: A nine-year-old girl was evaluated for worsening pain in the left anterior iliac spine with one month of evolution. Over the next two days, she showed progressive gait instability and low back pain. During hospitalization, she developed decreased strength and sensitivity in the lower limbs, hyperreflexia with clonus, Babinski sign, and inability to walk. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a compressive intracanalicular lesion at D8-12, later identified as Ewing sarcoma. The patient was treated and had no sequelae.
Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware that MSCC may have an atypical presentation, such as pain in an unusual location, and early recognition is essential to improve prognosis.
Downloads
References
Tantawy AA, Ebeid FS, Mahmoud MA, Shepl OE. Spinal cord compression in childhood pediatric malignancies: multicenter egyptian study. J PediatrHematolOncol. 2013;35(3):232-6. doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/MPH.0b013e318270b210.
De Martino L, Spennato P, Vetrella S, Capasso M, Porfito C, Ruotolo S, et al. Symptomatic malignant spinal cord compression in children: a single-center experience. Ital J Pediatr. 2019;45(1):80. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-019-0671-5.
Pollono D, Tomarchia S, Drut R, Ibañez O, Ferreyra M, Cédola J. Spinal cord compression: a review of 70 pediatric patients. PediatrHematol Oncol. 2003 Sep;20(6):457-66.
Kraal K, Blom T, van Noesel M, Kremer L, Caron H, Tytgat G, et al. Treatment and outcome of neuroblastoma with intraspinal extension: A systematic review. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2017;64(8):e26451. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.26451.
Lewis DW, Packer RJ, Raney B, Rak IW, Belasco J, Lange B. Incidence, presentation, and outcome of spinal cord disease in children with systemic cancer. Pediatrics. 1986 Sep;78(3):438-43.
Gunes D, Uysal KM, Cetinkaya H, Tekin HG, Yuceer N, Sarialioglu F, et al. Paravertebral malignant tumors of childhood: analysis of 28 pediatric patients. Childs Nerv Syst. 2009;25:63–9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-008-0717-2.
Sun H, Nemecek AN. Optimal management of malignant epidural spinal cord compression. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2010;24(3):537–51. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emc.2009.02.001.
Rades D, Veninga T, Stalpers LJA, Basic H, Rudat V, Karstens JH, et al. Outcome after radiotherapy alone for metastatic spinal cord compression in patients with oligometastases. J Clin Oncol. 2007;25:50–6. doi: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2006.08.7155.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Maria João Gaia, Vilma Lopes, Joana Tenente, Janine Coelho, Marta Vila Real, Fátima Santos
![Creative Commons License](http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright and access
This journal offers immediate free access to its content, following the principle that providing free scientific knowledge to the public provides greater global democratization of knowledge.
The works are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial 4.0 International license.
Nascer e Crescer – Birth and Growth Medical Journal do not charge any submission or processing fee to the articles submitted.