Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Spinal cord compression by epidural involvement over 21 vertebral levels in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Ken-ichi Isome1, Kousaku Matsubara, Tomohiko Taki
1Department of Pediatrics, Nishi-Kobe Medical Center, Kobe, Japan.
Abstract:
Spinal cord compression is a rare complication of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We report a 13-year-old boy with B-precursor ALL, presenting with restriction of breathing and back pain. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed extremely high protein levels. Radiologic examination indicated that leukemia extended from the thoracic to sacral epidural spaces over 21 vertebral lengths in a band-shaped form, threatening to induce compressive spinal cord neuropathy. Prompt initiation of systemic chemotherapy relieved the obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid flow without local irradiation or surgical intervention. To our knowledge, this patient has shown the most extensive epidural involvement among ALL patients previously reported.
Related Concept Videos
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy
Spinal Cord