Pediatric spinal tumors

We present an overview of the clinical outcome and surgical treatment of 34 pediatric spinal tumors, carried out in our center from 1981 to 1999. Follow-ups were available for 25.5 months on average. Clinical history, signs, surgical approach, outcome and radiological reports were obtained by review of the patients' charts. These pediatric tumors formed a very heterogeneous group, with a predominance of neurinomas and neurofibromas in older children and neuroblastomas or primitive neuroectodermal tumors in younger ones. Ependymomas and astrocytomas were the most frequent intramedullary tumors. Extradural tumors included tumors such as aneurysmal bone cysts, Ewing's sarcoma, histiocytomas, chordomas and an angiofibroma. Following decompression of the spinal cord, the neurological status improved with good functional recovery in 23 children and had deteriorated at follow-up in 5 children. Relapse occurred in 12 cases, including histiocytomas, chordomas, medulloblastoma and tumors associated with genetic disorders. Eighteen children underwent a combined treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The spectrum of pathology is wide and requires multidisciplinary treatment.