[Intraspinal tumors in children. Review of 24 cases]

The clinical cases of 24 patients with intraspinal neoplasms seen at the Neurology and Neurosurgery ward of the Hospital del Nino IMAN, in a period of four and a half years are reviewed. The majority of our cases were diagnosed as suffering from tumors of embryological origin like teratomas, dermoid cysts and neuroblastomas. The signs and symptoms were reviewed, noting the importance of weakness of the lower extremities, the alteration in reflexes and sensitivity as well as back pain. We emphasize the great help of the X ray examination of the spinal colum, both plain and with contrast media. The treatment that our patients underwent was reviewed and the results were evaluated, pointing out the fact that life prognosis is related to malignancy of the lesions and the neurological sequelae are intimatly related with the early diagnosis and treatment of this type of lesions.