Congenital intraspinal neuroblastoma

Congenital neuroblastoma is a well-recognized entity with a very favorable prognosis for tumor cure. However, a newborn with neurologic deficit owing to intraspinal extension of this tumor is very unusual. Eleven such cases in the world literature are reviewed, and an additional case of a new born with paralysis and a neurogenic bladder at birth is presented in detail. The prognosis for tumor cure is excellent regardless of the mode of therapy used. Because of this fact, treatment should include safe surgical decompression and chemotherapy only. The outlook for the return of normal neurologic function is poor.