Congenital dumbbell neuroblastoma.
METHODS
New babies with neurologic deficits resulting from intraspinal extension of congenital neuroblastoma is very unusual. Two patients with congenital dumbbell neuroblastoma with paraplegia are described, and 16 other cases are reviewed.


OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical features and prognosis of congenital dumbbell neuroblastoma.


BACKGROUND
Only 16 cases were found in the literature.


METHODS
Two girls were diagnosed and underwent surgery.


RESULTS
Although no recurrence occurred in both patients, incomplete paresis remained. Corrective surgery was needed because of the post-laminectomy spinal deformity in patient 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Although a high survival rate in patients with congenital dumbbell neuroblastoma is encouraging, the poor neurologic recovery is of great concern. The authors recommend an early diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging and early spinal cord decompression followed by chemotherapy for congenital dumbbell neuroblastoma.
Shimada
Y
Y
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
Sato
K
K
Abe
E
E
Suzuki
T
T
Ishihara
Y
Y
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery