Tumors Arising Within the Spinal Canal in Children

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Sixty-three tumors of the spinal cord and its coverings were found in a survey embracing material from a teaching medical center, a city hospital, and a large private hospital. Thirteen of the 63 tumors (20%) occurred in children under 16 years. Of the 13 spinal cord tumors in children, 7 were intramedullary and 6 extramedullary. Clinically, the intramedullary were usually characterized by painless symmetrical involvement of the spinal cord, whereas the extramedullary tumors usually began with radicular pain and unilateral signs. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid could not be relied upon as a feature differentiating the 2 groups. Elevation of cerebrospinal fluid protein, however, was of considerable diagnostic value in suggesting presence of spinal cord tumor since it was elevated in all but 1 patient. The importance of searching for spinal cord tumor in progressive neural dysfunction in childhood was illustrated by the fact that in only 2 of the 13 proved instances was this diagnosis entertained originally. On 3 occasions the admission diagnosis was post-poliomyelitic syndrome. It is in this group particularly that the possibility of a spinal cord tumor should be considered early in order to prevent irreversible destruction of nervous tissue and unnecessary orthopedic procedures. The prognosis depends upon the accessibility of the tumor, the histologic type and the time of surgical intervention. Eight of the 13 patients are living 2-16 years after operation, but all except 2 have some residual neurologic defect.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: