Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Unusual presentation of a primary spinal Burkitt's lymphoma
A Wilkening1, M Brack, A Brandis
1Department of Neurology, Medical School of Hannover, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany. Wilkening.Anja@mh-hannover.de
Insights
This study presents a rare case of primary spinal Burkitt's lymphoma in an immunocompetent patient. The lymphoma mimicked meningoradiculitis initially, highlighting diagnostic challenges for spinal root tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphomas are increasingly diagnosed in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient individuals.
- Primary involvement of the spinal roots by lymphoma is an exceptionally rare occurrence.
Observation:
- A case of a primary spinal Burkitt's lymphoma is detailed, presenting unusually as an S1 syndrome.
- Initial symptoms included lymphocytic pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), leading to a misdiagnosis of meningoradiculitis.
Findings:
- Repeated spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a spinal mass lesion.
- Histological and immunohistological analyses confirmed the diagnosis of spinal Burkitt's lymphoma.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare diagnoses in the differential for spinal syndromes.
- Highlights the diagnostic challenges and the utility of advanced imaging and histopathology in identifying primary spinal lymphomas.
Abstract:
Primary CNS lymphomas are detected with increasing frequency in immunocompetent and immunodeficient persons. Primary involvement of the spinal roots has only rarely been reported. The unusual history is described of a patient with a primary spinal Burkitt's lymphoma initially presenting as an S1 syndrome showing lymphocytic pleocytosis in the CSF, leading to the misdiagnosis of meningoradiculitis. Repeated spinal MRI disclosed a spinal mass lesion and histological and immunohistological examination of the tumour confirmed the diagnosis of spinal Burkitt's lymphoma.
