Late sequelae of symptomatic epidural compression in children with localized neuroblastoma

To describe late sequelae and their correlation with presenting clinical features and tumor treatment in children with symptomatic epidural compression (EC) secondary to localized neuroblastoma.

A total of 98 evaluable children diagnosed with neuroblastoma and EC, who survived a minimum of 2 years were identified in two Italian and French neuroblastoma series.

Symptoms of EC at diagnosis included motor deficit in 94 cases and sphincter deficits in 33. Initial treatment was chemotherapy in 66 cases, neurosurgical decompression in 29 and radiotherapy in 3. Chemotherapy was chosen more frequently for younger children and for those with stage 3 disease. Overall treatment consisted of chemotherapy alone in 44 cases, neurosurgery and chemotherapy in 38, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, with or without neurosurgery, in 16. After a median follow-up of 7.3 years, 57 children (58.2%) had one or more sequelae. Motor sequelae involved 50/57 of these children and correlated with age and severity of motor deficit at diagnosis and neurosurgical treatment. Spine deformities involved 27/57 children and were more frequent in those with severe motor deficit at diagnosis, or who were treated by neurosurgery or radiotherapy. Sphincter dysfunctions involved 31/57 children and were more frequent among children who presented with sphincter symptoms and severe motor deficit.

Fifty-eight percent of the children with localized neuroblastoma and symptomatic EC registered in this study developed late sequelae. The severity of motor deficit at diagnosis was the main risk factor.