Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
05:59
Reproducable Paraplegia by Thoracic Aortic Occlusion in a Murine Model of Spinal Cord Ischemia-reperfusion
Published on: March 3, 2014
12.1K
Multiple Myeloma Presenting With Sudden Paraplegia
Hugo Veiga1, Manuel Almeida2, Pedro Duarte3
1Intensive Care Department, Hospital de São João, Porto, PRT.
Cureus
|July 21, 2025
Summary
A rare solitary spinal tumor presentation of multiple myeloma (MM) caused sudden paraplegia. Early surgical decompression and systemic therapy are vital for managing this atypical MM manifestation and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Multiple myeloma (MM) typically presents systemically, but solitary plasmacytomas can cause atypical symptoms.
- Spinal lesions in MM can mimic other pathologies, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Observation:
- A 60-year-old woman experienced sudden paraplegia due to a solitary dorsal spinal mass.
- The mass compressed the spinal cord, necessitating emergent surgical decompression.
Findings:
- Surgical decompression halted neurological decline but could not reverse existing paraplegia.
- This case highlights solitary spinal lesions as an unusual but critical presentation of MM.
Implications:
- Recognizing atypical MM presentations like solitary spinal masses is crucial for timely intervention.
- Prompt surgical decompression, systemic therapy, and multidisciplinary care are essential for optimizing outcomes in spinal MM.
- Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent irreversible neurological damage in patients with spinal MM.
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