[Epidural spread of neuroblastoma]

Epidural spread of neuroblastoma is a point of major concern, on account of implications it entails and differences in criteria regarding its therapeutic management. In this study records of all patients with neuroblastoma who had been followed up from 1966 to 1980, from whom only a thorough neurological examination and plain X-rays of spine had been obtained, were reviewed. Eleven cases of epidural invasion were identified out of 69 neuroblastomas at risk (16%). Between 1980 and 1982, 6 out of 11 patients with neuroblastoma considered likely to spread underwent myelography. This technique disclosed spinal involvement in 5. From 1982 to 1986, 23 new cases of neuroblastoma (14 at risk) have been studied by CT-scan or myelography, with the yield of 2 cases with epidural invasion (14%). Authors, based on the study of this series, set forth their current views with respect to diagnosis and treatment of such patients.