title: Epidermoid tumours associated with lumbar punctures performed in early neonatal life.
abstract: Three children (ages 5, 7, and 12 years) with epidermoid tumours in the spinal canal, all of whom had a lumbar puncture during the early neonatal period, are reported. A considerable delay occurred from the first symptoms until the diagnosis was made. MRI of the lumbar spine was the method of choice in the diagnostic work-up. All three cases were successfully surgically treated. The link between lumbar punctures and epidermoid tumours and the possible risk factors involved are explored. Because of the variable clinical presentation, the possibility of the existence of these tumours should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Neurology, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Potgieter
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dimin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lagae
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Calenbergh
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Plets
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Demaerel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casaer
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*