Sciatica in a five-year-old boy
Farzad Omidi-Kashani1, Ebrahim Ghayem Hasankhani1, Ehsan Rafeemanesh2
1Orthopedic Department, Orthopedic Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Asian Spine Journal
|June 27, 2014
Summary
Childhood back pain can stem from rare spinal tumors like osteoid osteoma. This case highlights a young boy
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Childhood back pain affects 50% of children, with specific diagnoses found in 22% of cases.
- Osteoid osteoma, a benign bone tumor, rarely involves the spine (20% of cases).
- Significant neurologic deficits can occur in young patients with spinal osteoid osteoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report an atypical case of lumbar osteoid osteoma in a very young child.
- To emphasize the association between lumbar osteoid osteoma and severe neurologic deficits.
- To raise awareness of osteoid osteoma as a differential diagnosis for pediatric low back pain.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a five-year-old boy with chronic low back and leg pain.
- Clinical examination revealed antalgic gait, lumbar spine stiffness, and left lower extremity weakness.
- Diagnostic imaging confirmed osteoid osteoma in the left pedicle of the fifth lumbar vertebra.
Main Results:
- Surgical excision of the lumbar osteoid osteoma led to immediate symptom resolution.
- The patient experienced a complete recovery following the surgical intervention.
- Histopathological confirmation of osteoid osteoma was obtained.
Conclusions:
- Lumbar osteoid osteoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of low back pain and sciatica in pediatric patients.
- Early diagnosis and surgical treatment can lead to excellent outcomes.
- This case underscores the importance of suspecting rare spinal tumors in children presenting with persistent pain and neurological symptoms.
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