[Lumbar intraspinal tumors seen in a rheumatological context]

On the basis of a 50 case study, the authors insist on the difficulty of diagnosing lumbar intraspinal tumors seen in a rheumatological context. The increase in pain and spine and spine stiffness at night are the most significant semiological characteristics. A generally slight neurological deficiency is noted in 29 cases (58%) and 21 patients (41%) have a clinical picture identical to that of discal hernias. X-rays of the lumbar spine show signs of bone erosion in 24% of cases. Lumbar puncture furnishes major indications in 85.5% of cases. Contrast testing almost always demonstrates the presence of a tumor. Lumbar intraspinal tumors include a very wide variety of histological types, among which neurinomas, ependymomas and extra-dural malignant tumors are the most frequent.