Myeloradicular features as the initial presentation of sarcomas of childhood

Sarcomas (chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and undifferentiated sarcoma) generally present with nonneurologic symptoms at the onset. Five children with sarcomas who presented with spinal cord compression or radiculopathy as their initial problems are described. These patients appear to be older than those with the more commonly encountered neuroblastoma-related spinal cord compression. Our patients had a favorable neurologic recovery initially, but ultimately succumbed to systemic complications from spread of the sarcoma.