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Spinal cord compression resulting from Burkitt's lymphoma in children
G Dechambenoit1, M Piquemal, C Giordano
1Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
Insights
Burkitt lymphoma can cause acute spinal cord compression in young boys, leading to paralysis. Chemotherapy is highly effective, making surgery a secondary option for diagnosis or rapid decline.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neurology
- Hematology
Background:
- Spinal cord compression is a critical complication in pediatric oncology.
- Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma, can rarely present with neurological involvement.
Observation:
- Seven pediatric cases of spinal cord compression due to Burkitt lymphoma were identified.
- Clinical presentation included acute or rapidly progressive paraplegia, thoracic sensory loss, and sphincter disturbances.
Findings:
- Surgical tumor resection was performed in four patients, enabling epidural tumor removal.
- Chemotherapy followed surgery in three cases; one patient received exclusive chemotherapy.
- Chemotherapy demonstrated significant effectiveness in managing Burkitt lymphoma-induced spinal cord compression.
Implications:
- Chemotherapy is the primary treatment modality for Burkitt lymphoma-related spinal cord compression.
- Surgical intervention should be reserved for diagnostic purposes or cases with rapid neurological deterioration.
- Early diagnosis and prompt chemotherapy are crucial for favorable outcomes in affected children.
Abstract:
We report seven cases of spinal cord compression resulting from Burkitt lymphoma in boys aged 15 years and below. This became manifest clinically as acute or rapidly progressive spinal cord compression. All the patients showed total paraplegia with a sensory loss at thoracic level and sphincter disturbances. Four patients were operated on, the operation permitting exeresis of an epidural tumor. In three cases surgery was followed by chemotherapy. One patient was treated exclusively with chemotherapy. Owing to the effectiveness of chemotherapy, surgery should be considered only in cases of rapid deterioration or for diagnostic purposes.