title: A case of congenital intraspinal neuroblastoma.
abstract: A case of congenital intraspinal neuroblastoma with paraplegia in a newborn is described, and a review of previously reported cases is presented. Calcification within the spinal canal and abdominal mass was noted. At age 75 days, the patient underwent a resection of almost the entire retroperitonial tumor. A magnetic resonance scan showed hepatic metastasis, and chemotherapy was changed to a more intensive regimen. The liver metastasis disappeared; however, neurological signs persisted. A literature review of 38 cases showed 26 patients had a laminectomy and 12 patients did not. Treatment with or without laminectomy was associated with a poor prognosis for neurological recovery, suggesting cord compression must occur antenatally, and irreversible damage occurs before birth. Congenital intraspinal neuroblastoma has a relatively good prognosis (survival rate, 91.9%), although complete neurological recovery is highly unusual. Based on these findings, the authors conclude that a laminectomy is not indicated for those patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Oita Prefectural Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asabe
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tamai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kajiwara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hide
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000151:congenital; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007796:Laminectomy; D008297:Male; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000151:congenital; D011379:Prognosis; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000151:congenital; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016019:Survival Analysis