Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 20, 2025
Surgical Transplantation of Tumor Cells into the Spinal Cord of Mice
Published on: December 27, 2024
Primary spinal Burkitt's lymphoma: Case report and literature review
Roberta Costanzo1, Gianluca Scalia2, Salvatore Marrone1
1Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Postgraduate Residency Program in Neurological Surgery, Neurosurgical Clinic, AOUP "Paolo Giaccone," Palermo, Italy.
Background:
Burkitt's lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma, occurring mostly in Equatorial Africa. According to the WHO, classification is three different variants: sporadic, endemic, and immunodeficient-associated. Here, we present a patient with "sporadic" primary epidural Burkitt's lymphoma resulting in chronic low back pain (LBP).
Case Description:
A 63-year-old female presented with a 2-month history of LBP and the left lower extremity sciatica. The thoracolumbar MRI showed a L5 irregular, osteolytic epidural lesion that was hypointense on T1-weighted images, hyperintense on STIR studies, and inhomogeneously enhanced with contrast. Additional hypointense lesions were also seen at the L2, L3, and L4 levels. The patient underwent a L4-L5 laminectomy for piecemeal epidural resection of tumor, and a L4-S1 transpedicular screws/rod fusion. In addition, a L2-L3 radiofrequency ablation was performed. The histological examination documented a primary "sporadic" spinal Burkitt's lymphoma. The patient subsequently was treated with both radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy.
Conclusion:
Primary "sporadic" spinal Burkitt's lymphoma is rare. Following tumor resection, adjunctive radiation and chemotherapy are typically warranted.
