[Spinal tumors in infancy and childhood]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Pediatric Oncology
• Spinal Cord Surgery

Context:

• Spinal tumors in children are rare compared to adults.
• This study analyzes pediatric spinal tumor cases treated between 1954 and 1976 at the Neurosurgical Clinic Budapest.

Purpose:

• To review surgical management and outcomes of pediatric spinal tumors.
• To analyze the types and locations of spinal tumors in children.

Summary:

• Eighty children underwent surgery for spinal tumors (40.7% extradural, 24.7% intradural-extramedullary, 34.6% intramedullary).
• Tumor types included neurofibromas, gliomas, sarcomas, dermoids, and others.
• Diagnosis involved assessing motor development, spinal deformities, and imaging (X-ray, myelography).
• Treatment strategies ranged from radical surgical resection (increasingly microsurgical) to decompression for malignant intramedullary tumors, with adjuvant chemotherapy for malignant cases.
• Early lethality was 3%, and tumor-related lethality was 12%. Post-operative bracing was recommended to prevent spinal deformity.

Impact:

• Highlights the importance of surgical intervention for pediatric spinal tumors.
• Provides historical data on pediatric spinal tumor management and outcomes.
• Emphasizes the need for specialized care and potential long-term management (e.g., bracing).