Meningeal sarcoma of the spinal cord in a newborn

In a newborn infant, spinal rigidity and signs of cervical cord compression developed. Myelography suggested the presence of a spinal cord neoplasm, and pathologic studies confirmed the diagnosis of a pleomorphic cellular sarcoma originating from the leptomeninges of the thoracic spinal cord. A review of neonatal spinal cord neoplasms disclosed a high incidence of developmental tumors in this age group and, therefore, the need for early diagnosis, since many of these tumors are amenable to radiation therapy and surgical removal.