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Intraspinal tumors in children presenting primarily with hip symptoms: a report of three cases
S J Kumar1, H G Marks, J D Ghiragossian
1Alfred I. duPont Institute, Wilmington, DE 19803.
Insights
Pediatric intraspinal tumors can initially present with hip problems, delaying diagnosis. This study highlights three cases where hip pathology masked underlying spinal tumors, emphasizing the need for broader diagnostic considerations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric oncology
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Intraspinal tumors in children are increasingly understood, yet diagnosis is often delayed.
- Varied clinical presentations contribute to diagnostic delays.
- Hip pathology as a primary presentation of intraspinal tumors in children is not well-documented.
Observation:
- This article reports on three pediatric cases.
- All three children presented with symptoms primarily related to hip pathology.
- Two children underwent surgery for their hip conditions before the intraspinal tumor diagnosis.
Findings:
- All three children were ultimately diagnosed with intraspinal tumors.
- Initial hip symptoms were the primary, misleading clinical manifestation.
- The varied presentation of pediatric intraspinal tumors can include orthopedic conditions.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider intraspinal tumors in the differential diagnosis of pediatric hip pathology.
- Early recognition of intraspinal tumors presenting with orthopedic symptoms may improve patient outcomes.
- This highlights the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach in pediatric patients with unusual symptoms.
Abstract:
Although intraspinal tumors in children are better understood now than in the past, there is still a considerable delay between onset of symptoms and diagnosis because of the varied initial clinical presentations. Intraspinal tumors presenting primarily with hip pathology have not been described. The purpose of this article is to report on three children who presented with symptoms referable to the hip. Two of these children also had operation to correct the hip pathology. All three subsequently were diagnosed as having intraspinal tumors.